Cusco & Machu Picchu: The Golden Route 3 days

All briefings are done at our office at 5:00 PM one or two nights before your trek. If you are unable to make this time, you need to coordinate another time with a member of the Xtreme Tourbulencia office team. Briefings are approximately 40 minutes long.

Xtreme Tourbulencia is one of the only companies to pick you up directly from your hotel as long as it is in the center of Cusco city. We will coordinate this pickup based on a time that your guide will discuss at the briefing. Pick up times may vary 30 – 45 minutes based on traffic conditions and previous pickups. Since Cusco has narrow cobblestoned streets and some accommodations are on steep hillsides inaccessible to cars, we recommend booking hotels with better access.

Hiking one of the mountains next to the ruins is very popular. Huaynapicchu takes about 1 hour to the top and 45 minutes down (typically booked for the 2nd session, 10–11 AM). Machu Picchu Mountain takes 2 hours up and 1 hour down (usually booked for the 9–10 AM session). Note that 4-day trekkers cannot do Machu Picchu Mountain due to time constraints. Hiking either mountain grants extra time at the ruins afterward.

Entry times to Machu Picchu are fixed and non-adjustable. While a grace period is typically granted at the main gate of the Inca city (e.g., until 06:30 AM for a 06:00 AM ticket during peak season, or 06:45 AM during low season), entry at the control points of Machupicchu, Waynapicchu, and Huchuypicchu mountains does not have a grace period.

(*) Entry time at the main gate of the Inca city of Machupicchu.

(**) Entry at the control points of Machupicchu, Waynapicchu, and Huchuypicchu mountains does not have a grace period.

You must be honest with your guide about any health conditions. While guides are not medical professionals, they have first-aid training, and we work with a clinic in Cusco. You are responsible for assessing your fitness and consulting a physician. If you experience issues while hiking and cannot continue, a porter will accompany you to the closest road to wait for a car to the nearest health clinic. If you develop extreme altitude sickness, we can coordinate a train trip to Machu Picchu (subject to additional fees).

Group tours consist of diverse people with various hiking skills and ages. By agreeing to a group tour, you agree that some people might be slower or faster. Everyone can go at their own pace, and the guide will work with the group to accommodate everyone and make the best decisions.

Strikes are frequent in Peru and can block roads and stop trains. We will make sure your trek continues as planned, even if that means leaving the night before your start date. If tours must be canceled, our operations department will coordinate with you, prioritizing your safety above all else.

You are responsible for your items throughout the tour. Please be diligent and remove all items from vans, tents, restaurants, etc. Do not leave anything unattended during your hike, as other trekkers or teams might pick it up accidentally.

Tipping is optional and not obligatory, though appreciated. Typically, group participants pool tipping money together for the porters and chef (recommended $20 USD per person per trek), and porters/chefs prefer soles. Tipping for the guide is more personal, done separately based on your relationship, and guides accept USD, soles, or credit cards.

Travel insurance is inexpensive and strongly recommended. Adventure travel carries extra risk, and insurance protects the investment you made in your journey when planning months in advance. We can recommend an agent if needed.

Weather is unpredictable. While the dry season is April through October, rain can still fall in June or sun appear in December. Prepare for four seasons across microclimates by dressing in layers, including a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, waterproof gloves, and a warm packable down jacket for cold evenings. Weather changes may also force guides to rework itineraries for safety.

We recommend spending at least two days in Cusco to acclimate. Symptoms can feel like the flu or a hangover (headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue). Go slow, drink plenty of fluids like water or coca tea, and avoid alcohol, coffee, smoking, and sleeping pills. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe preventive medications like acetazolamide or dexamethasone. Always inform your guide right away if you feel sick.

Flying is the best option, though international travelers must disembark in Lima, clear customs, and recheck bags (even on connecting flights). LATAM has the most options, but delays and cancellations can happen due to high altitude and weather. Comfortable long-distance buses are also available and well-maintained, highly encouraged if traveling from nearby cities like Puno (though buses from Lima take about 20 hours).

It is an action-packed 3-day itinerary designed for travelers with limited time who want to experience the main highlights of the Inca civilization, including the Imperial City of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and the iconic citadel of Machu Picchu.

Absolutely! It covers the essential historical sites with professional bilingual guides, structured transfers, and planned schedules, making it perfect for first-time travelers looking for a hassle-free introduction to Cusco.

We strongly recommend landing at Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (CUZ) before 10:00 AM. This gives you time to check in at your hotel, rest, and adapt to the high altitude before starting your afternoon activities.

Upon arrival, drink plenty of coca tea, stay hydrated, eat light meals, and avoid heavy physical exertion during your first few hours. Cusco rests at 3,400 meters (11,150 feet) above sea level, so taking it easy on Day 1 is key.

The Sacred Valley leg includes guided visits to the impressive agricultural terraces and stone fortresses of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, along with a delicious traditional buffet lunch in Urubamba.

You will board a comfortable expedition or voyager train from Ollantaytambo station to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), enjoying a scenic 1.5-hour ride along the Urubamba River through changing landscapes.

Yes, the official entrance ticket to the historical sanctuary of Machu Picchu is fully included, granting access to the main circuits with your expert guide.

Train operators enforce a strict weight limit of 5 kg (11 lbs) per passenger. You should pack a small daypack with essentials for your overnight stay in Aguas Calientes, while your main luggage stays safely stored at your hotel in Cusco.

Tours are scheduled according to official park regulations using designated circuits (such as Circuit 2 or Circuit 3) to ensure you see the key classic view, main temples, terraces, and royal sector.

Extra mountain hikes can be added upon request, but they require early advance booking due to strict daily permits. Keep in mind that climbing these peaks requires high physical fitness and tight scheduling.

Depending on the package category you choose (3-star, 4-star, or luxury), night 1 is spent at your selected hotel in Cusco, and night 2 is spent at a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu.

Daily breakfasts at your hotels and a traditional buffet lunch during the Sacred Valley tour are included. Dinners and lunch on the final day in Aguas Calientes/Cusco are left open so you can explore local restaurants at your leisure.

The dry season from April to October brings sunny skies and clear views. The rainy season runs from November to March, bringing lush green scenery and fewer crowds, though rain gear is required.

Pack your original passport (mandatory for Machu Picchu entry and train access), layers of comfortable clothing, a rain jacket/poncho, sturdy walking shoes, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), insect repellent, and a reusable water bottle.

After visiting Machu Picchu, you will take the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo, followed by private road transport back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM.