HOLY WEEK IN CUSCO - PERU IN 6 DAYS

Upon arrival in the city of Cusco, we will pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel, where you will be welcomed with an aromatic infusion of coca or muña, which will help with the acclimatization process to the altitude.

OPTIONAL: You can go for a walk around the city and visit the Cusco Cathedral, the most important church in the city. Starting at five in the morning, the Palm Sunday mass takes place, celebrated in the Quechua language. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. In Cusco, this day is celebrated with the blessing of palm leaves and woven crosses, which are hung behind the doors of each home as a sign of protection.

Overnight at Cusco San Agustin Internacional Hotel.

We will pick you up from your hotel at approximately 1:00 p.m. to begin the city tour. Our first stop is the Temple of the Sun or Qorikancha, the most sacred place during the Inca era. This temple, dedicated to the Sun God, housed golden objects as offerings to the gods and was the point from which the “Seqes” extended—imaginary lines across the Tawantinsuyo Empire that connected sacred places known as “wakas,” important religious and ceremonial sites for the Incas.

At 3:00 p.m., we will head to the Saqsayhuaman Archaeological Park to visit the following sites:

• Saqsayhuaman: A place of grandeur due to its impressive architecture and sacred significance. It features the largest stones in the entire city of Cusco, and its construction amazes all visitors.
• Q’enqo: A stone-carved table and a site used for embalming and mummification. The Incas took advantage of natural rock formations, adapting them into temples and sacred spaces.
• Tambomachay and Puka Pukara: A temple dedicated to water, located in the community of Tambomachay. This site was a place of worship, honoring water as the source of life and a crucial element for agriculture.

OPTIONAL: Visitors may go to the main square and witness the devotion of the people of Cusco and the thousands of faithful travelers who gather there. The highlight of Holy Monday is undoubtedly the procession of TAYTACHA DE LOS TEMBLORES, considered the sworn patron of the city. Witnessing this procession is a truly unique experience, as it represents profound faith and a tradition that has been preserved for decades.

Overnight at Cusco San Agustin Internacional Hotel.

At 6:30 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel by bus to start our visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After a 40-minute journey north of Cusco, we will arrive at the archaeological site of Chinchero, a living town that still preserves its original Inca layout. It is located in an important agricultural region. The church and its bell tower date back to colonial times, built upon Inca temples. Local artisans offer handmade textiles using ancestral techniques.

After our visit, we will continue by bus to Moray, a circular system of agricultural terraces built by taking advantage of natural land depressions. These terraces functioned as microclimates used for experimentation, domestication, acclimatization, and hybridization of plants.

Next, we will visit the Maras Salt Mines, which have been exploited since pre-Inca times. There are over 3,000 shallow salt pools owned by nearly 380 families. The salty water comes from natural underground sources filtering from the hill known as Qoripukiu (Golden Spring). Afterward, we will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch in Urubamba, prepared with products from the Sacred Valley. Following lunch, we will continue our journey for 30 more minutes to reach the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo. This area was continuously inhabited and served multiple functions during the Inca era. It was an administrative, military, social, and economic center, as well as a strategic checkpoint for different ecological zones.

Later, we will board the train from Ollantaytambo station to Machu Picchu Pueblo.

Upon arrival in Machu Picchu Pueblo, we will be waiting to welcome you and transfer you immediately to your hotel.

Overnight at Machu Picchu - TERRAZAS DE LA LUNA Hotel.

6:30 a.m.: Breakfast at the hotel. Then, the guide will pick you up and take you to the bus station to board the bus that will take you to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. (Approximately a 30-minute ride)

Before entering Machu Picchu, you must present your identity document and entrance ticket.

8:00 a.m.: The tour begins with a guided visit of approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, exploring the most important and beautiful sites of Machu Picchu.

At the end of the tour, around 10:30 a.m., you will board the return bus to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes), where you will have free time for lunch.

We will then head to the train station for our departure at 2:55 p.m. to Ollantaytambo (please arrive at the train station at least 30 minutes before departure).

We will arrive at Ollantaytambo station at 4:30 p.m., followed by a shared transport transfer to Cusco (approximately a 2-hour journey), arriving at 7:00 p.m.

Overnight at Cusco - San Agustín Internacional Hotel.

Today, we will take a walk through the city center and visit the San Pedro market, where you can buy souvenirs, coffee, and chocolate from La Convención.

This day is characterized by the tradition of the twelve dishes, which symbolize the twelve disciples of Christ. These meals are usually prepared with Andean ingredients, making the dining experience a special tradition. Therefore, we will head to a local restaurant to taste these delicious dishes and be part of the Cusqueñan tradition. On Holy Thursday, people abstain from eating red meat.

It is also customary to visit seven churches in the afternoon and evening, symbolizing the intention to accompany Jesus on the path he walked from the night of his capture to his crucifixion.

Overnight at Cusco - San Agustín Internacional Hotel.

At the scheduled time of your flight, we will pick you up to take you to Cusco airport.

If your flight is in the evening, you may attend the Holy Friday procession of the Holy Sepulcher. This procession features an urn containing a sculpture of the deceased Christ, carried on the shoulders of the Knights of the Lord of the Holy Sepulcher from the Convent of La Merced, accompanied by the National Police, Firefighters, and members of the Peruvian Army. The procession moves through different streets and squares, with people following along, holding lit candles, praying, and singing hymns.