During this seven-day trip, you will meet the living culture of the communities of the Sacred Valley, true guardians of ancestral traditions. You will discover the Cuscan textile art and immerse yourself in Andean daily life. To conclude this cultural immersion, we'll visit the archaeological wonder of Machu Picchu, before enjoying a city tour of Cusco, a world-famous destination.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Cusco: The ancient Inca capital is a unique blend of pre-Columbian past and Spanish architecture. Its temples, squares and streets are surrounded by hills in which amazing sites such as Sacsayhuamán and Qenqo, Puca Pucará and Tambomachay are hidden.
Machu Picchu: The "Lost City of the Incas" is the reason why thousands of people come to Peru. It is hidden in the vegetation. Discover our past through its rooms, temples, bridges and religious sites, built in communion with the surrounding landscape.
Maras: These salt pools form a dazzling landscape. In Inca times, salt deposits were a major economic center and were of great importance to the Empire.
Day 1: ARRIVAL CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY
The domestic flight from Lima to Cusco is not included. Upon arrival at Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport in Cusco, a chauffeur-driven vehicle and a representative will be waiting to take you to your hotel located in the Sacred Valley.
Overnight in Sacred Valley.
Day 2: SACRED VALLEY
In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel to start a route through mountains and valleys, where Andean landscapes, local culture and traditional villages intertwine. The first stop will be Pisac, where you will discover its impressive archaeological site, renowned for being home to the largest set of agricultural terraces in the Sacred Valley as well as remarkable Inca remains.
Upon arrival in the community of Cuyo Chico, you will be greeted by an ancestral biosecurity ritual (purification with plants with antibacterial properties), before participating in a meditation session guided by traditional instruments and an interpretation of ancestral sounds. You will have the opportunity to discover the sound instruments used in the Inca era, whistles of meditation, communication or ritual use, used during special ceremonies such as the Inti Raymi.
Afterwards, you will receive an explanation of the materials used by the community and have the opportunity to handle them before taking part in a creative craft activity. You will then visit the "Sonidos del Ande" Interpretation Center, where you will learn more about the importance of ancestral sounds in the local culture.
To conclude the morning, you will enjoy a buffet lunch at La Hanka restaurant.
Overnight in Sacred Valley.
Day 3: SACRED VALLEY
In the morning, we'll leave your hotel in the Sacred Valley and head to Ollantaytambo, a village and archaeological site that has been inhabited continuously since Inca times. Its fortress, made up of impressive terraces and temples built into the mountainside, is one of the most emblematic works of Inca architecture.
After the tour, you will be taken to the community of Huilloc, in the province of Urubamba, which continues to this day the traditions of its Inca ancestors. Upon arrival, a local interpreter, a member of the community, will welcome you with music and accompany you to a local's home. He will introduce you to his family and offer you a mate de muña as a sign of welcome. You will then attend a demonstration of the weaving process of the traditional clothes of Huilloc, discovering the symbolism of their iconography. Under the supervision of a local craftsman, you will have the opportunity to experiment with ancestral techniques and tools yourself. You will then be able to put on the full traditional Huilloc dress and immortalize this unique moment with photos and videos. If you wish, you will also have the opportunity to buy a handcrafted piece, thus contributing to the cultural and spiritual strengthening of this Inca community. The experience will conclude with a farewell ceremony, accompanied by traditional music.
Finally, you'll enjoy a delicious Andean lunch prepared with local products grown in a traditional and sustainable way, served in the home of a local of the community.
Overnight in Sacred Valley.
Day 4: SACRED VALLEY – MORAY & MARAS – SACRED VALLEY
Your day will begin with a drive of about an hour and a half to the archaeological sites of Moray and Maras. In Moray, you will discover amazing concentric circular terraces, whose function remains mysterious. Some researchers believe that it was an ancient agricultural research center, where the higher and warmer outdoor terraces replicated the conditions of the different ecological floors of the Inca empire. Not far from there, the village of Maras offers an almost surreal vision with its impressive complex of salt flats. These vast salt basins have been used since pre-Columbian times for bartering with other regions of the empire.
You will also have the opportunity to meet Mrs Grandonia and Mrs Álvarez, renowned craftswomen and famous milliners of the village, who will introduce you to their art through an original workshop dedicated to the making of traditional hats.
The experience will continue with an ancestral Andean ritual in homage to the Pachamama, led by a local shaman. This solemn ceremony, imbued with beliefs and symbolism, is a mark of gratitude to Mother Earth for her blessings. You will actively participate by handing over the offerings that the shaman will use, and express your dearest wishes to nature, like the locals who still carry on this tradition today.
Finally, you will enjoy a delicious three-course gourmet lunch at the UNU Tiobamba or similar restaurant, located in Maras.
Overnight in Sacred Valley.
Day 5: SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
A transport will pick you up from your hotel in Urubamba (Sacred Valley) to take you to the Ollantaytambo train station. This transfer is shared with other passengers.
Board the train from Ollantaytambo Station to Aguas Calientes Station (Machu Picchu Pueblo), where you'll receive assistance upon arrival. For your return, you will make the same journey. Each route lasts approximately an hour and a half, and schedules are subject to availability.
Aguas Calientes, located on the slopes of Machu Picchu, offers a bustling handicraft market, a variety of restaurants, and accommodation options. Just a 25-minute bus ride away, you'll find Machu Picchu, a marvel of engineering and architecture, which is said to have served as a sanctuary and retreat for the Inca Pachacútec. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, Machu Picchu, which means "Old Mountain," captivates with its historical brilliance and natural majesty.
You will enjoy a delicious lunch at Café Inkaterra, with a unique view of the Vilcanota River. This restaurant combines Andean cuisine and architecture with contemporary trends, creating dishes with an original taste and fusion style. Upon arrival at Ollantaytambo train station after your train journey from Aguas Calientes, a vehicle will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Cusco. This transfer will be shared with other travelers.
*Please note that due to the shared nature of this service, the waiting time at the station can be up to 30 minutes before departure to Cusco.
Overnight in Cusco.
Day 6: CUSCO
Free morning. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the fascinating and magical city of Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire. In the company of the group, we'll discover the Convent of Santo Domingo, built on the ancient temple of the Coricancha. We'll continue with a visit to the Cathedral Basilica of the Virgin of the Assumption, the main religious sanctuary of the city. Then, we'll head to the hills of Cusco to explore the majestic fortress of Sacsayhuamán, and then the archaeological site of Qenqo. Your tour will continue with a visit to the Puca Pucará military complex and end at the ruins of Tambomachay, also known as the Inca Baths. At the end of the tour, return to your selected hotel.
Overnight in Cusco.
Day 7: CUSCO DEPARTURE
Your Peruvian adventure is coming to an end. A driver will pick you up from your hotel to take you to Cusco Airport.
Comfortable and light clothing is recommended for visiting the coastal areas of Peru, while warm clothing is recommended for the high-altitude Andean regions. It is not recommended to wear tank tops, shorts, short skirts or short clothes when visiting religious temples or official buildings. Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
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