Top Cusco Archaeology Tours - page 3

Machu Picchu: A Magical Journey to the Lost City of the Incas Imagine walking among clouds, surrounded by emerald green mountains, where silence is interrupted only by the whisper of the wind and the song of birds. Welcome to Machu Picchu, the crown jewel of the Inca Empire, a place where history and nature intertwine in eternal dance. There is a Machu Picchu for everyone.

Visit one of Peru's most popular places without the crowds on this well-planned day tour. Instead of visiting Rainbow Mountain in the morning, like other groups, visit in the afternoon after the crowds have left. With a small group, enjoy unobstructed views and learn about the landscape from your guide.

Discover the rich flavors of Peru during a hands-on cooking experience in Cusco. Start with a visit to San Pedro Market, where you learn about local ingredients and Andean superfoods. Then, head to a modern kitchen studio for a cooking class led by a professional Peruvian chef. Prepare a gourmet 4-course meal full of local ingredients, and craft a pisco sour cocktail, the national drink of Peru.

Peru’s Sacred Valley lies in the Andean Highlands—a landscape of rugged mountains, open plains, and soaring cliffs. Choose a morning or afternoon half-day safari, and tackle the rough ground by powerful all-terrain vehicle (ATV). With your guide to lead the way, reach historic sites including Moray and Maras with ease, and enjoy sweeping views across the Peruvian countryside. Entrance fees extra.

The markets of Cusco are fascinating places to explore, but you'll have a much richer experience with a guide who can provide insights into Peruvian cuisine. This activity begins in the city's oldest market, where you can sample popular fruits, breads, and cheeses, as well as some desserts. Afterward, you'll learn to prepare three Peruvian dishes with a local chef.

See more of Peru’s Sacred Valley in a single day without managing transportation, timing, or crowded sightseeing stops yourself. This small-group tour takes a less conventional route through Maras, Moray, Chinchero, and Ollantaytambo to help avoid peak visitor traffic and create a more relaxed experience. Included hotel pickup, round-trip transportation, and lunch make exploring the region easy and efficient.

Tour of the city of Cusco, visit the ancient capital of the Inca empire, experience the magical mix of this city between the traditions and history of the Incas along with the traditions and history of the Spaniards. The walk through the city is highly recommended to do it on the first day of your stay in Cusco to acclimate and be much calmer on the tours of the following days. The tour usually starts from Q'oricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Q'enqo, Pucapucara, Tambomachay and after the tour we return to the city. NOTE: If you are taking the private (personalized) tour we will return you to your hotel.

Learn about the incredible engineering works of the ancient Incas during this half-day visit to the circular ruins at Moray and the salt mines of Maras. Stop at Maras to discover how the Incas ingeniously tapped a natural salt water stream to create evaporating pools for collecting salt, a system that is still used to this day. Then continue to the ruins of Moray, a site of circular terraces, some as deep as 98 feet (30 meters), that once offered a testing ground for agricultural products. Your Maras and Moray excursion also features a professional guide and round-trip hotel transport.

One of Peru's greatest trails, the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is an excellent alternative to the Inca Trail. This 5-day, small-group hiking adventure takes you through diverse eco-systems, from snow-capped peaks to cloud forest, and includes accommodations, porters, meals, and hotel pickup. Book at least five months in advance to secure Machu Picchu tickets.

You don't have to spend long at Machu Picchu to see why it deserves UNESCO World Heritage status, so visiting the archeological site is a must when in Cusco. This private day trip lets you set the speed of your exploration, so you can ask ample questions and pose for as many photos as you like. Plus, taking the train from Cusco saves you from getting stuck in traffic on the way.

Make the journey to Machu Picchu in a single day on this unforgettable excursion from Cusco. An early-morning transfer takes you to the train station, where you board a train to Aguas Calientes, a village in the Valley of the Incas. Upon arrival, you meet your guide and board a bus bound for Machu Picchu, an ancient Inca citadel that sits more than 7,000 feet above sea level. With your guide, you tour the site for approximately two hours, exploring the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, the House of the Priest, the Sacred Plaza and the Intihuatana Stone. With free time in the afternoon, you can explore the site on your own, perhaps climbing Huayna Picchu, a mountain with unparalleled views of the ancient ruins. There's no need to check out of your Cusco hotel, as this tour gets you there and back all in a single day.

Explore the highlights of Peru’s Sacred Valley, a region just outside Cusco that once functioned as a spiritual, political and agricultural hub for the ancient Incas, on this full-day trip. Learn about the timeless traditions of Andean textile design at a weaving center in Chincheros, then head to Ollantaytambo, home to an impressive collection of Inca-designed farming terraces. You’ll also see the Inca city of Pisac, home to an impressive collection of ruins and a bustling market. Your Sacred Valley excursion also covers lunch, a guide and round-trip hotel transport.

Venture deep into the Andes Mountains to visit the ancient Incan citadel of Machu Picchu during this full-day train excursion from Cusco. Take the bus to Aguas Caliente and enjoy an in-depth guided tour of Machu Picchu as well as free time to explore. On the way back, ride the premium PeruRail Vistadome train on the Ollanta-Machu Picchu route to experience unobstructed views of the Andes and surrounding landscapes. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

The 4-day Salkantay trek is an alternative to the popular Inca Trail, which can often be crowded. Hike past ancient Inca ruins, through the Cloud Forest, and past the towering Andes Mountains as you make your way to Machu Picchu. This trek offers a look at the unique biodiversity of Peru as you navigate different climates and explores the rich history of the great Inca Empire.

If you’re short on time, then this full-day trip from Cusco to Machu Picchu is for you. Take the train to Aguas Calientes and explore the city. Then head up to the famous citadel of Machu Picchu for a guided tour around the ruins to learn about the ancient Incas. Enjoy some free time to explore the area on your own before heading back to Cusco by train and bus.

Challenge yourself on this adventurous 4-day trek to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Machu Picchu. This route is an alternative to the well-trafficked Inca Trail and takes you to Humantay Lake, Salkantay Mountain, and through the wild rugged Andean mountain range down to the edge of the Cloud Forest. Accommodation and hotel pickup are included, including a night at an exclusive camp whose igloos are perfect for stargazing.

Discover Peru’s ancient past and vibrant present on this tour to the Sacred Valley, the traditional town of Pisac, and Ollantaytambo archaeological site. Plus, visit a colonial temple, learn how local villagers use plants to dye alpaca wool, and enjoy a buffet lunch at a restaurant in Urubamba.

Travel confidently with Alpaca Expeditions, Peru's #1 Tour Operator!. 3 Guarantees for Your Inca Trail Adventure: Safety, Quality, and Expert Guidance 1. Security Guarantee We ensure the safety of our guests throughout the entire Inca Trail. There will always be at least one guide behind the group, providing extra support and ensuring no one is left behind. 2. Food Guarantee We guarantee quality food on all our expeditions by following five essential food safety rules: * Keep everything clean. * Separate raw and cooked foods. * Cook thoroughly. * Keep food at safe temperatures. * Use safe water and raw materials. If we ever make a mistake, resulting in food-related issues (e.g., food poisoning), affected people will be completely compensated. 3. Lecture Guarantee All our guides are educated to provide high quality content about the Inca history. After the trek, all lecture materials will be sent to your email in written form for you to review and enjoy at your leisure.

Go where cars can't and explore local Andean communities and ancient Inca ruins during this horseback riding adventure. Learn about the daily rhythms of local life, observing farming techniques along with alpaca and sheep herding, for a cultural experience you wouldn't get anywhere else. You also discover Inca temples and visit a natural cave once used as an Inca shrine.

Cover a number of dispersed Inca towns, without the hassle of driving, on this small-group tour from Cusco to the Sacred Valley. Pass through the ancient sites of Saqsaywaman and Ollantaytambo, and explore the Inca site of Pisac. Along the way, visit a Peruvian weaving house and see a demonstration on dyeing and weaving techniques.

No visit to Cusco is complete without visiting UNESCO-listed Machu Picchu, but arranging logistics can eat into precious vacation time. This day trip from Cusco is ideal for time-pressed travelers, as it takes care of transportation and tickets for the archeological site and scenic train ride through the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Snack and sightsee on this small-group Cusco street food tour limited to 10 people or fewer. Try favorite local dishes such as papas (potatoes), meats, and sweets, and even chat with the street food vendors to learn more about their goods. Between bites, learn about Cusco history as you walk around the city.

Uncover the history and culture of Cusco, once the heart of the Inca Empire, on this small-group tour of the city—a great way to get your bearings if visiting for the first time. Check off plenty of sights in one convenient tour that covers Plaza de Armas, where Inca roads once converged, the Temple of the Sun, and the Convent of Santo Domingo. You'll also visit Cusco Cathedral and the bustling San Pedro Central Market, for a taste of daily life in Cusco.

See Peru's Rainbow Mountain, known for its stripes of colorful mineral deposits, in just one day on this tour from Cusco. Hike with a guide to the summit for a once-in-a-lifetime wilderness adventure, or rent a horse (own expense) for easier access to the same incredible views. Entrance to the mountain is not included.