Inti Raymi 2024

Our Representative awaits you in front of the Cusco´s arrival airport hall holding a sheet with your name. After he/she welcomes you in Cusco Peru, he/she takes you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax and explore this fascinating city as well as to acclimatize to its high altitude. 

The Cusco City is the oldest continuously inhabited city of this continent as well as a hub of the South American travel network! The city attracts people from all around the world, who arrive not only to visit a unique destination, but also to experience an antique culture that differs a lot from the occidental 21st century´s way of life. One could easily spend a week just in and around this site. Inca-built stone walls line most of the central streets and it is not necessary to go far to see other major Inca ruins! This is a city steeped in history, traditions and legends!

Every year, Cusco is visited by thousands of travelers, who come to delve into its noble, but tragic past. It is a perfect base for optional explorations around the city´s surroundings as well as for a range of outdoor activities.

Cusco also has got numerous colonial churches. The most important of them is the Cathedral on the main square. Its construction started in 1559 and it took 100 years to finish!! The Cathedral can pride on the biggest depository of Colonial art of the city! A vault containing remains of the famous Incan historian – Inca Garcilaso de la Vega is just past the entrance. Other churches that are worth seeing are La Compañía, La Merced and San Francisco. 

The city is also a perfect base for those more adventurous as it offers a range of optional outdoor activities such as white river rafting on Urubamba River, horseback riding around nearby archaeological sites (Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay and Puca Pucara) or mountain biking down to Maras–Moray–Salineras and perhaps visiting some Incan sites on the way.

One of the most spectacular days of the tour takes us through the Sacred Valley of the Incas that was once an important source of food to Incan people. Sacred Valley is a lush agricultural region that keeps supplying the city of Cusco with much of its production. As it lays 600 metres lower than Cusco, its average temperature is 5ºC higher so it has got a very pleasant climate.

The tour shows us around the major archaeological sites placed in Pisaq, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. At Pisaq, an optional two hour (5 km) trek allows us to fully appreciate this huge antique Incan city nestled high in this Andean range. Later on, we can observe a colourful handicraft market at the modern Pisaq town that is without any doubt a unique place to find perfect souvenirs! Then, we stop in Urubamba, considered to be the capital of the valley, where we have a buffet lunch offering Andean cuisine. Afterwards, we continue to the picturesque town of Ollantaytambo, a place that can boast with another large Incan site. Its major ruin is known as the best surviving example of Incan urban planning and engineering! But Ollantaytambo is more than that, it is an alive and breathing Incan town!! Then, we start returning to Cusco, but there is one more Incan site expecting us on the way! The site is Chinchero where we enjoy our last guided tour. Later on, we get to Cusco to overnight and get ready for Inti Raymi 2021 – the Cusco festival of the Sun!

The festivity in honour of the Sun god is celebrated in 3 historical scenes:

• Qorikancha (Golden Temple) – the principal temple dedicated to the Sun in the Incan era.
• Plaza de Armas (called by the Incas “Auqaypata” – the Warrior Square), which used to be a huge square during the Inca times where this ceremony was held on a ceremonial platform called “ushnu” (in Quechua native language). From there, the Inca was carried on a golden throne leading a procession through the ancient city of Cusco uphill to Sacsaywaman, a huge fortress above the city,
• Saqsaywaman (“saqsay” and “waman” in Quechua mean “satiate hawk”), which is an impressive archaeological centre situated at 3,555 m.a.s.l., just a kilometre far away from the Inca neighbourhood of Qolqanpata.

 Program of the scene at Sacsaywaman:

• Ceremonial arrival.
• Announcement of the 4 “Suyus” (four cardinal points in Quechua): Qollasuyu, Kuntisuyu, Antisuyu and Chinchaysuyu.
• Chicha Ritual.
• Sacred Fire Ritual.
• Lama (Andean cameloid) sacrifice and a sign reading (But no worries, there is not any lama killed in fact nowadays!).
• Sankhu (sacred bread) Reading.
• Q’ochurikuy (burst of popular exaltation).

Transfer to the airport of Cusco for your flight back to Lima (or to your home country).

End of service!

• Welcome by our representative at arrival;
• All airport transfers at arrival and departure;
• Accommodation: 3* hotel (4 nights)*;
• Professional bilingual Tour Guide as per the itinerary;
• All entrance fees (Inti Raymi Festival, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley archaeological sites);
• Meals: 4x breakfast, 1x box lunch (during Inti Raymi), 1x buffet lunch (during the Sacred Valley Tour);
• Transport by a private van during the tours and local transfers;
• A tourist train round trip to Machu Picchu (Expedition Class);
• A shuttle bus round trip between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.

*Solo Traveller: Please note that if you have booked the “Solo Traveller” option for the Inti Raymi tour, you receive your own single room for all the nights.

• Pre & post tour accommodation;
• International and local flights nor airport departure taxes,
• Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu (US$80);
• Meals not mentioned;
• Peru Travel Insurance;
• Tips and baggage portage (Please note: It is a custom to give tips in Peru; however, it is not obligatory.);
• Other extras not mentioned.

Meal budget: Please allow USD 50-100 for meals not included.

Welcome to Cusco! A Tierras Vivas representative will be waiting with your name tag at the Cusco airport. It is important to get out of the airport because outside you will find various companies waiting for other customers. They will call your name in case you would not find the representative to get another customer and charge for transport. Due to your pick up it is really essential that you give us the details of your flights such as the time of your arrival in Cusco, the name of the airline and the number of your flight. You can send us this information 2 weeks before the trip.

Important note: You will always have our 24/7 emergency contact in case of any difficulty!

All Tierras Vivas adventure tours are accompanied by a Tierras Vivas Tour Guide, representative or expedition team. Our guides are university graduates and have a degree in tourism! They also have a broad general knowledge of each country visited during the tour, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. The goal of the guides is to eliminate worries of our customers and help them achieve the best possible trip. Tour Guides provide information about the places visited, offer suggestions on what to see and do, recommend a good place to eat and introduce your colleagues. In addition, they also ensure that all hygiene measures are complied with to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Accommodation during the Inti Raymi Tour

We used the following hotel to accommodate our customers on the tour:

Hotel Prisma

Address: Calle Matara N 394, Cusco

Tel: (+51) 84 224466

We always ask our hotels to prepare rooms of our customers for the time of their arrival, especially if they arrive before the standard check-in time. However, this is not always possible. In this case, just leave your luggage in the hotel storage and in the meantime, you can explore your new destination.

Please note! If you have purchased pre-/post-trip accommodation in the hotel, you might be asked to change your room during/after the tour.

We recommend early booking of individual single rooms and pre-/post-tour accommodation. Single accommodation can be arranged for a supplementary charge and is subject to availability. Please enquire about this when booking.

Cusco Hotel Upgrade

In case, you prefer an upgrade of your accommodation, we can offer you the following special prices (there is a discount of USD 40 per night x 4 nights = US$ 160) and it is valid for these hotels:

Hotel Belmond Monasterio: The accommdation is in a Deluxe Room.

Hotel Casa Andina Cusco: This hotel involves 2 hotels in Cusco: Casa Andina Plaza or Casa Andina Cathedral. The accommodation is at a Traditional Single or Double room.

Hotel Tierra Viva Cusco: This hotel has 4 hotels in Cusco: Tierra Viva Centro, Tierra Viva Plaza, Tierra Viva Saphi and Tierra Viva San Blas. The accommodation is in a Standard room.

Hotel Ferre Cusco: The accommodation is at a Standard room.

These Train Service and Transportation is Included in the Inti Raymi 2023:

Cusco to Machu Picchu: A private vehicle and tourist train

Departure time: 4:30 or 5:30 am

Pick-up point: Your hotel

Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) Train

*Extra service is not included when on the Expedition and The Voyager train.

Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) – Ollantaytambo – Cusco Train                                             Follow-up Private Vehicle Transfer**

*Extra service is not included when on the Expedition and The Voyager train.

** Our driver drops you off in your hotel.

Train Service Upgrade:

If you like to upgrade for a more comfortable class, then you might choose from Vistadome and The 360° Machu Picchu Train for a surchage of US$ 65.
Important note: you need to notify us about this preference before your ticket is booked!

Vistadome – PeruRail

Vistadome Class has panoramic windows allowing to appreciate the beautiful scenery along the route. You can pass an unforgettable experience of magic connection with nature when going from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, or vice versa.

Vistadome Class Provides:

1. Long section: Poroy (Cusco) – Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu):

• Comfortable seats with front tables.
• Large panoramic windows.
• Outbound: Snacks and selection of hot and cold soft drinks (1 hot drink and 1 cold drink per person).
• Inbound: Snacks and selection of hot and cold soft drinks (1 hot drink and 1 cold drink per person).

2. Short section: Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley) – Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu):

• Comfortable seats with front tables.
• Large panoramic windows.
• Outbound: Snacks and selection of hot and cold soft drinks (1 hot drink and 1 cold drink per person).
• Inbound: Snacks and selection of hot and cold soft drinks (1 hot drink and 1 cold drink per person).

The 360° Machu Picchu Train – Inca Rail

The only train in Peru with an entertainment application on board allowing to learn more about the train journey and the Inca civilization. One might experience a unique way to travel to Machu Picchu, explore the Andean countryside like never before with wider and higherr panoramic windows and an outdoor observation carriage including a bar.

The 360° Machu Picchu Train Provides:

• Comfortable seats with front tables.
• Large and wide panoramic windows.
• Outdoor carriage including a bar for enjoying the countryside.
• Gourmet and organic delicacies made from Sacred Valley products.
• Selection of cold and hot bevarages prepared from fruit juices and Andean herbs.
• On-board entertainment system.

• Flight tickets,
• Original passport (and its copies in case of lost),
• Travel insurance (+ its copies),
• Cash or credit cards,
• Daypack (to carry your personal items during daily travels),
• Rain gear (waterproof trousers, a rain jacket, or a rain poncho – all can be purchased in Cusco),
• Warm clothes such as a jacket, a fleece (thermal clothing is also recommended for cold nights).
• Lights clothes for the days (e.g. T-shirts, dresses, shorts, skirts – a recommendation for women: do not use miniskirts and minidresses in case you do not like to be harassed by local men),
• Comfortable shoes (waterproof are recommended),
• Sandals (in case you like to visit the hot springs/thermal baths of Aguas Calientes),
• Swimsuit (if you like to visit the hot springs/thermal baths),
• Sun glasses,
• Hat or a cap (as a protection against rain, cold or the sun),
• Sun protection cream,
• After-sun cream,
• Insect repellent– recommended minimum is 20% DEET!),
• Mobile phone with a camera/camera and its charger/batteries,
• Small towel and toiletries,
• Sufficient reserve of underwear,
• Paper tissues,
• Snacks (chocolate, fruits, biscuits, energy bars, raw fruits, etc.)
• Bottled water.