The Cusco Essential package is our answer for travellers who want the essentials of Cusco without spending their holiday planning it. In 4 days you see Cusco and its Inca sites, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, with local guides, ground transport and every entrance arranged for you.
The days run in this order: Cusco and its Inca sites, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Accommodation is a fully equipped apartment in central Cusco; breakfasts and the lunches shown each day are included, dinners are left free for the city’s restaurants. All of it for US $530 per person. Read our day-by-day guide to this package.
Train, bus, entrance ticket and a guided tour of the Inca citadel.
Cusco and its Inca temples
Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay.
The Sacred Valley
Chinchero, Moray, the Maras salt pans, Ollantaytambo and Pisac.
Apartment in central Cusco
A fully equipped apartment within walking distance of the main square.
Every ticket and transfer
Airport pickup, the Cusco Tourist Ticket and all entrances are included.
Local guides
Professional bilingual guides from Cusco on every excursion.
Small shared groups
Groups of 2 to 14 travellers, with family and group discounts.
One local team
Guides, transport and tickets handled by one team based in Cusco.
Day-by-day itinerary
Your complete day-by-day itinerary for the Cusco Essential 4 Days, with what you see, what is included and the meals provided each day.
DAY 1
Cusco City Tour and nearby Inca ruins
Begin in Cusco at Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun, famous for its flawless Inca stonework. Continue to the towering Sacsayhuamán fortress with its panoramic views over the city.
Explore Qenqo and its ceremonial rock carvings, the checkpoint of Puca Pucara, and finish at Tambomachay, the elegant Inca water shrine that showcases Andean engineering.
Discover the Sacred Valley, starting in Chinchero, known for its traditional weaving and sweeping Andean views, then the extraordinary circular terraces of Moray.
Visit the dazzling Maras Salt Mines, still worked as in Inca times, the fortress town of Ollantaytambo, and the hillside ruins and vibrant market of Pisac.
Visits
Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo, Pisac
Includes
Transport, guide, entrances, BTC ticket
Meals
Breakfast and buffet lunch in Urubamba
Terrain
Andean valley
DAY 3
Inca city of Machu Picchu
Depart Cusco around 4:30 AM for the scenic drive through Chinchero and Urubamba to Ollantaytambo, then board the tourist train through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes.
A short bus climb brings you to the Inca city of Machu Picchu for an in-depth guided tour of its temples, terraces and astonishing architecture. Return by train and bus to Cusco in the evening.
Departure
4:30 AM from Cusco
Includes
Train, buses, Machu Picchu entrance, guide, lunch
Meals
Breakfast and lunch in Aguas Calientes
Highlight
Guided tour of Machu Picchu
Good to know: Your original passport is required to enter Machu Picchu and must match your ticket, so we collect each traveler's passport details when you book.
DAY 4
Departure day — see you soon
On your final morning we provide a smooth transfer to the airport or bus terminal. As our journey together ends, the INKANET ADVENTURE team thanks you and hopes the memories of Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Andes stay with you forever.
We look forward to welcoming you back for your next Peru adventure. Safe travels.
Service
Farewell transfer
Includes
Transfer to airport or terminal
Meals
As available
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Cusco Essential 4 Days tour — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Airport or bus station transfer to your apartment on arrival
Welcome coca or muña tea and a full itinerary briefing
Professional tour guide for every excursion
All ground transport in modern vehicles
Entrance to the archaeological sites and the Qorikancha
Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC)
Guided tour and entrance to the Inca city of Machu Picchu
Tourist train and bus connections to Machu Picchu
Breakfast and selected lunches as detailed by day
Light lunch (chicken diet) on arrival
Not Included
Dinners unless stated
Private equipped apartment (optional upgrade)
Travel insurance
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses and optional activities
Before you go
A few essentials we recommend to make your Cusco Essential 4 Days trip the most rewarding possible.
Acclimatize in Cusco first
Spend a day or two in Cusco (3,400 m) before high-altitude excursions. Hydrate well, eat light, drink coca tea and avoid alcohol. Our guides carry oxygen and support on every climb.
Physical fitness
No long hikes: the days involve easy walking on uneven paths and Inca stairways at Machu Picchu and the other sites. Comfortable shoes and a relaxed pace are all you need; tell us about any mobility needs when you book.
Best time to go
Dry season: April to October, with clearer skies and firm trails — the best months for views of Machu Picchu. The rainy season (December to March) brings afternoon showers but greener landscapes. We run this package all year.
Sun & weather
The Andean sun is strong at altitude, even in Cusco. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a hat, sunglasses and lip balm with SPF, and dress in layers: early mornings are cold and middays warm.
Cancellations & weather
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour if a verifiable emergency keeps you from joining — an illness, an accident or a cancelled flight, for example, with a document that shows it. If weather or road conditions make the trip unsafe, we will offer you a new date or a full refund. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Group Type
Group Size
Price / Person
What's Different
Shared Group Most popular
2 – 14 travelers
US $530 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $504 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $477 / pp
Automatic group discount at checkout
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Cancellation policy
We accept cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour when a verifiable emergency prevents you from attending. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. Refunds go back to your original payment method and are processed by your bank, not by us: any bank fees are applied by the bank, and the money can take up to 30 business days to reach your account. Thank you for your patience. Read the full policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
Airport or bus terminal pickup, a shared apartment in central Cusco, professional guides, ground transport, the Cusco Tourist Ticket, entrances, the Machu Picchu train, bus, ticket and guided tour, daily breakfast and the lunches shown in the itinerary.
Yes. Your original passport is required to enter Machu Picchu and must match your ticket, so we collect each traveller’s details when you book.
In a fully equipped apartment in central Cusco, shared twin-style; a private apartment is available as an upgrade.
Breakfasts and the lunches listed for each day are included. Dinners are not, so you can try Cusco’s restaurants at your own pace.
Cusco is at 3,400 m. Drink plenty of water, eat light and avoid alcohol on the first day.
Yes. Under-18s get a 5% discount and groups of 8 or more get an automatic discount at checkout. Tell us about any special needs when you book.
A glimpse of the journey
Cusco Essential 4 Days in pictures
Before you book
Check live Machu Picchu availability
Entry tickets to the citadel sell out weeks ahead and cannot be rebooked. See which circuits and dates are still open before you book.
