In a nutshell

Four days and three nights to discover the sacred places of ancient Inca civilization in Peru. Cusco, a UNESCO world heritage city, will dazzle you with its sites of the cult of the Sun god, from the fortress of Sacsayhuaman to Coricancha. But the grand finale awaits you at 2,430 meters: this is where Machu Picchu is located - one of the seven wonders of the world. A view that you'll never forget.

Main stops

Day 1 and 2 * Transfer from Manta to Guayaquil airport * Flight to Lima * Overnight stay in an exclusive hotel in Lima * Flight to Cusco * Sacsayhuaman: interior visit * Walking tour of Cusco: sacred site of Coricancha; Baroque cathedral * Overnight stay in an exclusive hotel in Cusco

Day 3 and 4 * Train to Aguas Calientes *Visit Ollantaymbo Archaeological Site * Sightseeing coach tour to Machu Picchu * Walking tour of Machu Picchu: temples, shrines, pyramids and dwellings * Aguas Calientes: free time at the indigenous market * Overnight stay in an exclusive hotel in Cusco * Flight to Lima and return to the ship in the port of Callao

The programme

Day 1 and 2 – The heart of the empire: flight to Cusco * After the plane to Lima, your journey through time will take you on a second flight among the religious sites of Cusco, a UNESCO world heritage city, where a local guide will lead the way through the traces of Spanish empire and rule. * Inca history is full of symbols of the Sun god: first the giant stones of Sacsayhuaman, the fortress built in the shape of a reclining puma, and then the “garden of gold” in Coricancha, a fairytale temple where the walls and floors were once covered in gold. * After this immersion in pre-Colombian history, leap forwards in time to the Spanish Baroque era with the cathedral of Cusco, which is now a UNESCO world heritage site. Your exclusive hotel also represents a piece of history, and will welcome you with frescoed rooms and the cloister of an ancient monastery dating back to 1592.

Day 3 and 4 – The wonder of Machu Picchu and flight to Lima * After the train to Aguas Calientes, hop onto a small bus to climb up to Machu Picchu on winding dirt roads. The entrance to the citadel will make you feel a little like Hiram Bingham, the professor who discovered it in 1911, immersed in greenery and nestled among the mountains. * Here, the Inca architecture will take your breath away, with temples, pyramids and ancient astronomical observatories. * This UNESCO world heritage site has remained intact until today: a discovery that makes this wonder of the world even more amazing, and which will stay with you as you fly back to Lima and head back to the ship.

Good to know

All meals are included.
To get the most out of these places, remember to bring a backpack with a hat, suncream and a lightweight waterproof jacket in case of rain.
Wear appropriate sports shoes and clothing for the trail.
Bring your passport: you'll need it to take part in this experience.
The experience can be canceled up to 60 days prior to the start date of the land excursion.
The coach journey from Manta to Guayaquil takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.
To enable you to enjoy an exclusive experience, the number of places is limited: book early.
The presence of the Costa Tour Expert is not guaranteed for the entire experience.