Cusco 7D/6N

The Sacred Valley of the Incas, in the Peruvian Andes, is one of the most important destinations in South America. It is composed of numerous rivers that descend by streams and small valleys; This fertile area has Inca archaeological monuments and indigenous peoples such as the Maras community.

Machu Picchu Pueblo also called Aguas Calientes is a town located in the Valley of the Urubamba River in southeastern Peru, known for its proximity to the famous Citadel of Machu Picchu. The center of the town can find various restaurants and stores, in addition to the artisanal market. To the northwest along the river, there are the mandor gardens with orchids and birds; The near butterflies house is a local conservation project. You can also enjoy your thermal baths.

Cusco, also known as the "navel of the world" for the Incas, since it was the capital of the Inca Empire. It remains a city that combines archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture; You can still see the foundations of the Inca structures in many of its city streets today. The Plaza de Armas is the heart of the ancient city, with galleries, carved wooden balconies and ruins of Inca walls.

Welcome to Peru, a country that captivates its cultural diversity, impressive landscapes and a rich history that is reflected in every corner.  From the majestic mountains of the Andes Cusqueños, through the valleys surrounded by ancestral agricultural terraces, to the mysterious vestiges of the Inca Empire, Cusco offers unique experiences that will leave us an indelible mark.
 
Upon arriving in Cusco, our guide will be waiting for us to receive us and we will be transferred to lower lands in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a place full of historical significance and natural beauty. This valley, located in the Peruvian Andes and that surrounds Cuzco, was vital for the Incas, who adorned him with palaces, temples and strengths, now recognized as world heritage. We will arrive at our hotel in Urubamba (2,871 m.s.n.m.), where we will be the next nights.

Including
• Private Airport Transfer - Hotel in Urubamba, with welcome and guide assistance.
• Night at Hotel Sol y Luna with breakfast included.

Excluded
• International and national flight. 
• Lunch and dinner.

A private transfer will pick us up at the hotel to start our tour in Chinchero, a charming Andean town to more than 3,750 m s. n. m., Where Inca inheritance and colonial tradition live in harmony. Its inhabitants, with traditional costumes, reflect the authenticity of the Living Andean culture. In their main square, skilled artisans and weavers work the alpaca wool and sheep with ancestral techniques. We can observe the textile process and acquire unique handmade pieces.

We continue towards Maras, a small town where we will find the salineras, with more than 3000 Salinas pools that are excavated in the Qaqawiñay mountain at 3,380 meters above sea level. These Salinas are one of the 4 places in the world where you can find natural pink salt and depending on the time of the day you visit the place, the white terraces of the Salinas acquire beautiful tones that will be a visual delight.

Finally we will know the archaeological complex of Moray, a set of large structures located on a large plateau and that are a succession of concentric platforms that are introduced inside at a depth of 30 meters. These incredible bowls were used as experimental agricultural stations by the Incas, and as one enters the terraces, the temperature varies at each level, which manages to emulate several microclimates.

Including
• Private midday tour with transfer, guide and entries.
• Night at Hotel Sol y Luna with breakfast included.

Excluded
• Lunch and dinner.

After breakfast we will enlist to explore the secrets of the archaeological ruins of Pisac (2,972 m.s.n.m.). This ancestral site is known for its intricate architecture and spiritual connection. We will be amazed when contemplating the agricultural terraces of this place, which are presented as a masterpiece of engineering on the slopes of the mountains. These Inca steps not only served for agricultural production at different altitudes, but also reflect the deep understanding that the Incas had of their surroundings. We will visit the Intihuatana of Pisac. The presence of this precision carved monolith demonstrates the importance of this place as an astronomical observatory. This "Inca" solar clock, strategically located, fulfilled ceremonial and astronomical functions in the old society. The Inca paths that wind over the ruins of Pisac will take us through well -planned defensive strategies. We will explore narrow passages, strategic viewpoints and complex structures that reveal the military and architectural ability of the Incas.

The carefully carved stones and sculptures in Pisac are testimonies of Inca artistic skill. The energies that emanate from this site will transport us to a unique connection with history. We will admire the perfection with which the stones fit each other, creating structures that resisted over time.

Finally, we will descend from the heights of the ruins and explore the charming people of Pisac. We will walk through its cobbled streets and immerse ourselves in the colorful artisanal market. From textiles to ceramics and jewelry, the market offers a variety of hand -made products that capture the very essence of Andean creativity. We will finally be transferred back to our hotel.

Including
• Private midday tour with transfer, guide and entries.
• Night at Hotel Sol y Luna with breakfast included.

Excluded
• Lunch and dinner.

Today we will visit the fascinating archaeological site of Ollantaytambo (2,792 m.s.n.m.). This place is presented as a millenary guardian of the Inca history of the Sacred Valley. Ollantaytambo was a strategic military strength, with its terraces in the hills that served both for agricultural and defensive purposes. The engineering of the Incas manifests itself in the perfectly carved stones and the stepped terraces that make up this archaeological wonder. At the top of the ruins we will find the Temple of the Sun, a ceremonial complex that stands out for its architectural design and religious symbolism. We will explore ceremonial structures, altars and sacred areas that attest to the worship of the Incas to their deities. We will travel the street of the ten niches, a ceremonial street with intricate niches carved in the rock that demonstrate the advanced urban planning of the Incas. The stone quarries in the vicinity will reveal the source of the colossal blocks used in the construction of Ollantaytambo, they demonstrate the technical and logistics ability of the Incas in the transport of these huge stones. From the top we will enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Sacred Valley. We will observe how the surrounding mountains frame this archaeological landscape, offering a visual experience that will transport us to another era.

At the Ollantaytambo Trains station, we will embark on the picturesque train view of Perurail, which stands out for its panoramic windows that will allow us to enjoy impressive views along the journey. We will be accompanied by the winding Río Vilcanota, always on our left, giving us an unparalleled panoramic view while the landscape is transformed before our eyes. We will leave behind the Sierra Andina ecosystem to enter the cloud forest, where green tones intensify and the vegetation becomes dense. Throughout the journey we will see Terraces and Inca Andeneries, as well as flames, alpacas and endemic birds that will delight us with their presence.

While we approach the legendary Inca Citadel, we will enjoy an exceptional service, accompanied by a captivating show of typical cusco dances and the exhibition of Alpaca wool clothing that will bring us closer to the rich culture of the region. Upon arriving at the town, we will be received by the hotel staff where we will stay. After accommodating ourselves in our rooms, our guide will provide us with a brief summary and prepare us to our amazing visit to the Secret Citadel of the Incas, Machu Picchu.

Including
• Hotel transfer in Urubamba - Train station in Ollantaytambo with a visit to the Ollantaytambo Ruins en route, including guided and tickets.
• Ollantaytambo Visionome Train to Aguas Calientes.
• Luggage transfer to Hotel in Cusco.
• Night at Hotel Machu Picchu town with breakfast and dinner included.

Excluded
• Lunch.

Today we will visit Machu Picchu, the archaeological jewel that stands majestically at the heights of the Peruvian Andes. Also known as the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu is a masterpiece of the Inca architecture located at the top of a mountainous crest at 2,430 m.a.s.n.m. Its staggered terraces, ceremonial temples and precisely aligned constructions are a testimony of the technical ability and planning ingenuity of this ancient civilization. Their purposes remain a mystery that intrigues both archaeologists and visitors.

In the distance we can see the door of the sun, or Intipunku, an emblematic place that served as main entrance to Machu Picchu from the original Inca path. We will also see the main temple, a central structure, formed by precisely carved stones, which stands out for its architectural design and ceremonial importance. We will observe the stone of the intihuatana of Machu Picchu that served as an astronomical observatory and symbolic connection point with the sun. We will travel the agricultural terraces, ceremonial squares and other enclosures that reveal the urban planning of the Inca civilization. We will also see how altitude variability creates different microclimates in the cloudy forest, promoting a diversity of habitats.

From the lowest areas to the highest areas, each level houses its own species collection, enriching the experience of those who explore this environment. Machu Picchu reflects a deep environmental awareness. Sustainability and harmony with the environment were fundamental principles that guided Inca engineering, leaving a legacy of respect for nature.

At the end of the tour, we will take the bus back to the town of Aguas Calientes. After lunch, we will go to the station we will board the train to Ollantaytambo and a private transfer will take us to our hotel in the city of Cusco.

Including
• Private tour of Machu Picchu with guide, entries and buses.
• Water Water View Train to Ollantaytambo.
• Private Transfer Trains Station in Ollantaytambo - Hotel in Cusco, with only driver.
• Night at Hotel Inkaterra La Casona with breakfast included.

Excluded
• Lunch and dinner.

Accompanied by our guide we will explore the cobbled alleyways of the city of Cusco located at 3,400 m.s.n.m. We will travel the narrow streets of the historic center that, flanked by Inca walls, will transport us over time. We will cross the city's place of arms to visit the Cathedral of Cusco, a demonstration of the Spanish conquest and the incorporation of Inca elements in Christian architecture. The cathedral facade is a show of architectural splendor. The main chapel houses a top work of the Cusco art, the golden altar. The walls of the cathedral are adorned with colonial paintings that stand out for incorporating Andean elements, unique examples of cultural syncretism.

We will visit the San Blas neighborhood, the Bohemian corner of Cusco, where the narrow cobbled streets and the vibrant squares reveal the artistic and cultural essence of the city. This neighborhood, known for its relaxed atmosphere and its rich inheritance, is a refuge for artists, artisans and travelers who seek to immerse themselves in the authenticity of Cusco life. The Church of San Blas will leave us amazed, built in the 16th century, is a baroque treasure, with its simple facade and its adorned interior, it is a testimony of the artistic influence that this neighborhood has permeated throughout the centuries. When we enter San Blas, each step will reveal artisan workshops, artist studies and unique souvenir shops. The colonial architecture of San Blas, characterized by its wooden balconies, will create a lovely scenario that will invite us to explore.

Including
• Private midday tour with transfer, guide and entries.
• Night at Hotel Inkaterra La Casona with breakfast included.

Excluded
• Lunch and dinner.

Today our trip ends. We will return home with unforgettable memories and captivated by a destination that mixes history, nature and culture and will always wait for us with open arms. A driver will pick us up to take us in private transfer to the airport from where we will take our flight via Lima back home. 

Including
• Private Hotel Transfer - Airport, with only driver.

Excluded
• National and international flight. 
• Lunch and dinner.