From
$1,730
NZ $1,557 per person

The Heart of the Empire

6 days
Start and end in Cusco
4.1
8 traveler reviews
From
$1,730
-10%
NZ $1,557 per person
Find this price
Save and compare this adventure

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:
In-depth Cultural
Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
Partially Guided
Independent travel, featuring selected guided excursions
Guided in English, Spanish
Group Size 2 - 16
Ages 10+
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Highlights

  • Explore pre-Columbian history at Inkariy Museum
  • Witness traditional crafts in Chinchero town
  • Discover Machu Picchu with an expert guide
  • Stroll through Cusco and visit ancient sites
  • Enjoy scenic train rides through the Andes

Itinerary

Expand All
  1. Introduction
  1. Day 1 ARRIVAL CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY (50km – 1.5 hours)
  2. Day 2 SACRED VALLEY – CHINCHERO – OLLANTAYTAMBO (85Km - 2 hrs)
  3. Day 3 SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES (75km – 1.5 hrs)
  4. Day 4 MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO (115Km - 4 hours)
  5. Day 5 CUSCOCITY TOUR & NEARBY ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
  6. Day 6 DEPARTURE CUSCO
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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport
  • Free eSIM
    TourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Operated by

LimaTours

Number of tours

64

Age Range

2 to 90 years old

Response time

12 hours

Response rate

100%

In 1956, LimaTours set forth on an exciting adventure of sharing with the...

Read more

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Customer Reviews

  • Overall Rating
    Excellent
    4.1
  • Itinerary
    Excellent
    4.8
  • Guide
    Excellent
    4.3
  • Transport
    Excellent
    4.8
  • Accommodation
    Excellent
    4.8
  • Food
    Excellent
    4.3
  • 4.8
  • Most Recent
  • Most Popular
  • Highest First
  • Lowest First
  • The Heart of the Empire reviewer 1
    · August 3rd, 2025
    Their Response tells you everything about this company. They tell you one thing and do another. Totally Unprofessional they said they would give me a refund or change dates due to flight cancellation and guess what... They later said it was a mistake and that I can not have either option. Dear Michael. We hope this message finds you well. We would like to clarify the situation regarding the cancellation of your trip. Due to the flight cancellation occurring on the same day as the scheduled start of the program, all reconfirmed services were considered a 100% no-show, and therefore non-refundable in accordance with our terms and conditions. We acknowledge that there was an error in the information previously provided to you by our Contact Center team. We sincerely apologize for any confusion this may have caused. It is also important to note that Peru is currently in high season, during which cancellation policies tend to be significantly stricter due to the high demand. We truly regret the inconvenience and hope to have the opportunity to assist you again in the future under better circumstances. Warm regards, Bárbara - LIMA TOURS.
    Show more
    Trip date: July 2025
  • MJ
    · October 23rd, 2024
    A well executed tour. I travelled solo. I had someone greet me at the airport on arrival and departure. The hotels they chose for the tour were excellent. Clean and visually interesting hotels. All tour guides were helpful and friendly. I would use Lima Tours again. I also got to meet other travellers during group tours. So nice to meet other people and make some new friends. I felt completely safe as a solo traveller and in good hands. I did the Heart of The Empire tour. Well done Lima Tours! M. from Australia.
    Show more
    LimaTours commented on this review
    Hello Mary, Thank you for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the Heart of the Empire tour, felt safe traveling solo, and made new friends along the way. It was a pleasure to have you with us, and we look forward to your next adventure... Show more
    Trip date: October 2024
  • VG
    · May 14th, 2024
    Peru is an absolutely beautify country and a definitely must see! All the guides were very friendly and informative. Day 2 SACRED VALLEY – CHINCHERO – OLLANTAYTAMBO was absolutely lovely with a full day of activity. The place I stayed at Ollantaytambo was so peaceful and beautiful surrounded by mountains. The trip to Machu Picchu was well organised. You are picked up from the hotel and taken to the train station. The train ride is stunning. Unfortunately I didn’t have window seats going or coming so you need to ensure when you book that window seats are a non negotiable. You are met by a guide who takes accompanies ypu on the bus trip up the mountain to Machu Picchu and gives you a guided tour. I was booked on circuit 4 to my absolute disappointment. ( it is important to make sure when you book the tour that you are are on circuit 1&2) I tried to get tickets for circuit 1&2 the following day. Sadly after sitting in the line at the government office for almost 2 hours the only time for circuit 1&2 tickets was at 2 pm and my train was already booked for 2. I returned to Cusco very disappointed.
    Show more
    LimaTours commented on this review
    Dear Vimla, we are happy to know that you were able to enjoy the peace and tranquility of Cusco and the Sacred Valley, as well as its tourist attractions. Regarding the access circuits to Machu Picchu, we reserve those enabled by the Ministry of Culture... Show more
    Trip date: May 2024
  • A
    · July 12th, 2023
    Automatically translated. View in EnglishRate this translation
    Automatic translation available in English. View in English
    Punctuality in everything: good guides, good service,
    Show more
    Trip date: May 2023
    Review collected by LimaTours
  • A
    · July 12th, 2023
    Automatically translated. View in EnglishRate this translation
    Automatic translation available in English. View in English
    Our guide Elias is extraordinary... excellent... friendly, helpful... patient and knowledgeable about his craft... about history and culture... congratulations and highly recommended....
    Show more
    Trip date: May 2022
    Review collected by LimaTours
  • MB
    · March 7th, 2020
    Tour was well done. We were well taken care of.
    LimaTours commented on this review
    Dear Murray, thank you for your comment. We are glad that you had a good time during your visit and learned more about the local culture.
    Trip date: March 2020
  • JB
    · December 2nd, 2019
    This was an absolutely amazing tour! Everything...
    Show more
    LimaTours commented on this review
    Dear Jessica, we are glad to hear the you had a great time during the tour! It was our pleasure to share the culture and traditions of the Incas with you. We hope to see you soon again!
    Trip date: November 2019
  • A
    · August 27th, 2019
    Congratulations to Edgar Rivas our guide to Cusco
    Show more
    Trip date: November 2018

Dates & Availability

6 days
The Heart of the Empire
From Cusco to Cusco

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    • Rated excellent on
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    • 24/7 customer support
    • Earn $50 in travel credits
    • Free eSim with every purchase

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More benefits
Select a departure month
  • Upcoming departures
  • September 2025
  • October 2025
  • November 2025
  • December 2025
Select The Travel Month

Upcoming departures
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  • Instant Confirmation
    -10%
    From Friday
    26 Sep, 2025
    To Wednesday
    1 Oct, 2025
    English, Spanish
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $1,730
    NZ $1,557 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    -10%
    From Saturday
    27 Sep, 2025
    To Thursday
    2 Oct, 2025
    English, Spanish
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $1,730
    NZ $1,557 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    -10%
    From Sunday
    28 Sep, 2025
    To Friday
    3 Oct, 2025
    English, Spanish
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $1,730
    NZ $1,557 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    -10%
    From Monday
    29 Sep, 2025
    To Saturday
    4 Oct, 2025
    English, Spanish
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $1,730
    NZ $1,557 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    -10%
    From Tuesday
    30 Sep, 2025
    To Sunday
    5 Oct, 2025
    English, Spanish
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $1,730
    NZ $1,557 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    -10%
    From Wednesday
    1 Oct, 2025
    To Monday
    6 Oct, 2025
    English, Spanish
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $1,730
    NZ $1,557 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    -10%
    From Thursday
    2 Oct, 2025
    To Tuesday
    7 Oct, 2025
    English, Spanish
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $1,730
    NZ $1,557 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    -10%
    From Friday
    3 Oct, 2025
    To Wednesday
    8 Oct, 2025
    English, Spanish
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $1,730
    NZ $1,557 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    -10%
    From Saturday
    4 Oct, 2025
    To Thursday
    9 Oct, 2025
    English, Spanish
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $1,730
    NZ $1,557 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    -10%
    From Sunday
    5 Oct, 2025
    To Friday
    10 Oct, 2025
    English, Spanish
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    $1,730
    NZ $1,557 per person
    Multiple Room Types

What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
All questions
  • B

    Brittany

    Asked on March 4th, 2025

    We would like to book a tour from Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu. I note we can only take hand luggage on the train. How do we get our other bags from Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu hotel?

    Tour Details
    Transport
    • B

      Brittany

      TravelerWritten March 2025

      For the Heart of the Empire trip, I understand we can't take luggage on the Train. Can we leave all luggage at the hotel and collect on our return?

    • LimaToursOperatorWritten March 2025

      Regarding your question, actually you will have to leave part of the luggage you won't need to take with you, to the hotel in Machu Picchu. This luggage will remain at the storage of the previous hotel and then transfer to the hotel in Cusco at your come back.

    • 1 more answer
  • J

    Jackie

    Asked on December 28th, 2024

    I was wondering if this was a flexible tour as I'd be interested in adding on a visit to Pisac market, terraces of Moray, and the Moras salt mines. If it is flexible, can you tell me how many nights would need to be added and what the cost of this would be based on one traveller?

    Price / Availability
    Tour Details
    • LimaToursOperatorWritten December 2024

      Yes you can add the private full-day tour to Maras Salt Mines, Moray terraces and Pisac Market. You have to add one extra night. This tour includes the transfers, English speaking guide, entrance to Maras and the Full Cusco Touristic Ticket (BTC). What is not included is the lunch. The price of the tour is 430 USD.

  • E

    Emma

    Asked on August 17th, 2024

    How to guarantee a window seat on the train? Also, what is the circuit that we will do in Machu Picchu?

    Tour Details
    Transport
    • LimaToursOperatorWritten August 2024

      Regarding your query, the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu can be purchased for circuit 2 or 3 according to availability. We cannot choose which seats you will be seated in but we can arrange for passengers to be together.

    • E

      Emma

      TravelerWritten August 2024

      If I book this tour and give you my passport number, can you book the Circuit 2 please?

    • LimaToursOperatorWritten August 2024

      If the tour starts on October 12th, the visit of Machu Picchu have to be at October 14th, where there are only 14 spaces left for the Circuit 2. If you could start your trip at October 16th, we could find more spaces available for October 18th (30 permits).

    • E
      2 more answers
Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at LimaTours with your enquiry, they usually respond within 12 hours.
From
$1,730
-10%
NZ $1,557 per person
Find this price
Save and compare this adventure

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 150694

  • Currency
    S/.
    Sol
    Peru
  • Plugs & Adapters

  • Vaccines
    • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
    • Typhoid - Recommended for Peru. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Hepatitis A - Recommended for Peru. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Tuberculosis - Recommended for Peru. Ideally 3 months before travel.
    • Hepatitis B - Recommended for Peru. Ideally 2 months before travel.
    • Rabies - Recommended for Peru. Ideally 1 month before travel.
    • Yellow fever - Recommended for Peru. Ideally 10 days before travel.
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before December 8th, 2025 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after December 8th, 2025, a minimum payment of 25% is required to confirm your booking with LimaTours. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 125 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and LimaTours will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "LimaTours" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.

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