ITINERARY

• DAY 1: CUSCO CITY TOUR

Reception at the airport and Free Morning. City Tour: We start the tour with the pick-up at 1:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. We visit the Koricancha Temple and 8 km from the city we visit the 4 ruins: Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, PucaPucara, and Tambomachay.

The Cusco city is one of the most visited places in the world due to the number of important archaeological centers, Inca walls, colorful costumes, churches built on Inca palaces, citadels lost in the heights of the Andes, legendary roads, and all the beauty of a glorious past that surrounds the visitors who arrive at the imperial city of the Incas.

Cusco is the sacred city of the Incas and the Archaeological Capital of the Americas, that is why we have prepared this tour for you of a day trip that takes place in the afternoon, where we will visit the most representative places of the ancient capital of the Inca empire.

Koricancha: We will discover the Religious center known as the “Temple of the Sun” where the impressive engineering used in its construction is highlighted.

Sacsayhuamán: We will be impressed with a fortress of monumental stones and excellent architecture, located 3 km. from the city of Cuzco.

Qenqo: We will follow our steps to this ceremonial and ritual center, where sacrifices were made and tributes were paid to ancient forces.

PucaPucara: Formerly known as a Tambo, it is a lookout post along the Inca trails.

Tambomachay: The ceremonial center for the worship of water, located 7 km from the city of Cusco, traditionally known as the place of the waters, is another of the stops that cannot be missed on our tour.

• DAY 2: CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS – CUSCO

Departure at 08:00 a.m. by Tourist Bus to the Sacred Valley. – Approximately one hour of the route we will find the archaeological site of Pisac. Guided tour of the Inca site, we will descend on foot to the small town of Pisac and you will have the opportunity to visit the Typical Market. Buffet lunch in Urubamba. Visit the Inca city of Ollantaytambo.

Pisac: At the entrance of the Urubamba Valley in Pisac, a magnificent mestizo town where you can distinguish the old neighborhood (archaeological site) from the modern part with its colonial characteristics. The main attraction of Pisac is the traditional indigenous market, where we will find a great variety of typical objects of the region, made of cloth or ceramics. We will also admire the typical costumes of the region, quite colorful and worn by the local people. Additionally, we will be able to visit the old colonial church of Pisac, where masses are still celebrated in Quechua on Sundays, attended by local residents and “varayocs” (local authorities from different cities). We will end our visit to Pisac with a look at the interesting irrigation system for the fields and the fabulous astronomical observatory from Inca times.

Urubamba: To go to Urubamba we will pass through the towns of Coya, Lamay, Calca, and Yucay, observing beautiful flora and fauna during a 45-minute tour. At the end of the trip, we will arrive at the city of Urubamba, located in the heart of the Sacred Valley, in the middle of a fairly comfortable and fertile area that constitutes an important pre-Hispanic agricultural center. We will take advantage of this pleasant atmosphere to have lunch in a cozy typical restaurant.

Ollantaytambo: In the afternoon we will go to the Ollantaytambo region, also known as “Valle del Tambo”. This is the only “living” Inca city, that is, the only one inhabited, and it extends along the Vilcanota River, reaching Machu Picchu. We will visit the famous fortress of Ollantaytambo, which stands out in the valley, where we will see some of the most imposing constructions of the Inca empire.

Chinchero: On the way back to the city of Cusco we will stop to visit Chinchero and its small chapel. This town, like Pisac, is known for its traditional market; however, the Chinchero market, although smaller, is richer in tradition and offers a greater variety of textiles. Finally, we will return to Cusco, where we will leave you in your accommodations.

• DAY 3: CUSCO – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

We will start this tour very early, picking you up from the hotel around 4:00 am. to go by tourist transport to the train station and make a captivating trip of three and a half hours to Machu Picchu, also known as “The Lost City of the Incas”.

We will arrive at the “Machu Picchu train station, and immediately we will get on a bus that will take us on a 30-minute trip, ascending a zigzag path, where we will finally arrive. to the incredible Machu Picchu. The excursion includes a guided tour of approximately 2 hours in the citadel. During the visit, we will visit the most important sites around Machu Picchu. After a guided tour, we will go back to Aguas Calientes town in order to have lunch before boarding our return train. In the afternoon, at approximately 6:30 p.m. We will board our train towards the town of Ollantaytambo, where a bus will wait for us to return to the City of Cusco, which we will arrive at approximately. 10:00 p.m.

• DAY 4: MARAS AND MORAY

Breakfast at the hotel. – Departure at 08:40 a.m. by bus to Maras and Moray. – Visit the archaeological center of Maras, the salt flats of Maras, and Moray. – Return to Cusco approx. 2:00 p.m. – Lunch and free afternoon. Does not include: Lunch and dinner.

Moray, at first glance, seems like a kind of amphitheater made up of several circular platforms, but in reality, it is an agricultural experimentation center from the Inca era. Next to Moray we have the impressive salt exploitation complex. From Maras, we will visit the salt mines along a bridle path where there are animals carrying sacks of salt.

Moray Ruins: Discovered in 1930, they are located at 3,450 meters above sea level, and in them, we can find testimonies of pre-Hispanic settlements, including Inca vestiges. The ruins of Moray are made up of circular platforms that correspond to agricultural embankments with a complex irrigation system, which reached the three sectors that make up the complex. The Quechuas call these areas “muyus” and in its largest hole, the depth is 150 meters. The average height of the platforms is 1.80 m. Moray was built during the heyday of the Inca empire and was then a center for agricultural experimentation, on whose platforms several microclimates were obtained.

Town of Maras: This friendly town still retains much of its colonial architectural beauty. Extraordinary portals with fine stone carvings can be seen, as well as structures with low-relief sculptures.

Maras Salt Flats: It is a small brine spring worked with very elementary means by a fraction of the population of “Maras” and “Pichingoto”. These archaeological remains reveal that this resource was already known and used in pre-Hispanic times, and may have been one of the many sources of salt supply for the Inca population. The current technique for extracting salt is very similar to that used for nine hundred years or more. During all these centuries this technology has been preserved, which consists of a true work of hydraulic engineering, but in miniature, since the pools have relatively small dimensions, built as platforms on one of the slopes of the ravine. The extraction is seasonal, it is only carried out in the dry season from May to November or early December. The property of the pools is given mainly by inheritance.

• DAY 5: CUSCO

At the appropriate time, we will have our last transfer to the Cusco airpor

ITINERARY

• DAY 1: CUSCO – AGUAS CALIENTES

Early in the morning will be waiting for your arrival with transportation at the international airport in Cusco. We will then go to Ollantaytambo to catch the train toward to Aguas Calientes. The trip will take approximately 3 hours from Cusco City to Aguas Calientes. In Aguas Calientes you will meet to your local guide who will brief you and give you your entrance and buses tickets to Machu Picchu. After dinner you can return to your hotel.

• DAY 2: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

This is our Day!!! We will catch the first bus leaving from Aguas Calientes at 5:30am to Machu Picchu City. After we enter the check point with our guide we’ll walk for 7 or 10 minutes to experience the panoramic view of the city and depending on weather condition we could see the sunrise. We will explore the city for 2 or 3 hours while visiting the most important sectors inside and listening the wealth of historical information from our guide. After the tour you could explore the place on your own. AT the end of the day we will return to Aguas Calientes to catch the train to Cusco.

• DAY 3: CUSCO – AIRPORT

Depending on your flight schedule and plans we will transport to you at the airport

ITINERARY

• DAY 1 : Cusco – Abra Malaga – Huamanmarca – Santa Maria (Biking, Rafting)

After a hotel pickup between 6:00am and 6:30am, you will head on a 1.5-hour ride to Ollantaytambo. Here you can have a quick breakfast and buy snacks. Then, you’ll continue for 1.5-hour more towards the Malaga High Pass (4,350 meters) where your adventure begins. After a safety briefing, you will enjoy a thrilling 2.5-hour bike ride down into the lush and humid jungle. You will see Huamanmarka Archaeological site along the way, before arriving to Santa Maria village around 1:30pm. You will spend the night at a basic, Eco Lodge.

Activity in Santa Maria: Rafting. Go on a scenic 2.5-hour rafting adventure and go down class III & IV rapids on the Urubamba River (also known as Vilcanota River). If you choose not to participate in the rafting activity, you can explore the town on your own.

 Shuttle to Abra Malaga: 3½ hour by bus from Cusco.
 Biking distance: 65km. / 40mile.
 Biking time: 3½ to 4 hour approximately.
 Climate: Cold at the beginning of the biking and very hot in the night.
 Acomodation: Lodge: Eco Terra Lodge.
 Meals: Lunch, Dinner.
 Maximum Altitude: 4350 masl. / 14271 ft.
 Minimum Altitude: 1250 masl. / 4691 ft.

• DAY 2 : Santa Maria – Quellomayo – Santa Teresa – Cocalmayo Hot Spring (Hiking, Hot Spring)

We walk along the riverbanks and start climbing. On our way we’ll see small coffee plantations, fruit trees, etc. In this area it is possible to see many types of plants, orchids and birds. We will observe the beauties of the high forest which is a paradise of biodiversity in the Inca jungle route. After arriving to the top of the mountain we will see the whole valley of Urubamba. The group will descend to arrive at the village Qellomayo. After the break we will trek for 3hrs. going through farms, rivers, waterfalls until arriving at the hot water springs in Santa Teresa. We will continue to walk until reaching the town Santa Teresa.

Cocalmayo offers several relaxing crystal clear hot springs, each with its own temperature. The sound of the river and the stars at night time make it a perfect scenery. After the hot springs(cocalmayo) the group will continue to walk for about 40 min. (or take a bus of you´d prefer) until reaching the town of Santa Teresa where you will check in to a nice comfortable Hotel. After the dinner you all are invited to visit one of the bars to hang out with the other members of the group.

 Hiking distance: 22 Km. / 13.6 mile.
 Hiking time: 6½ to 7 hour approximately.
 Climate: hot in the day and warm in the night.
 Acomodation: Hostel: Santa Teresa.
 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
 Maximum Altitude: 1900 masl / 6233 ft.
 Minimum Altitude: 1430 masl / 4691 ft.

• DAY 3 : Santa Teresa – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes (Hiking, Zipline)

We continue to explore the roads less traveled and start from the town Santa Teresa. The passengers that reserved in advance will enjoy the zipline, the rest of the group will continue until reaching the hydroelectric too, where the whole group will rejoin. After a short break, the journey will continue along the great Inca jungle, going through waterfalls, coca and coffee farms until arriving at the town Aguas Calientes. The group will be taken to the hostel around 4 pm. At night we all get together in a restaurant to have a great dinner and have a briefing about the trek to Machu Picchu.

 Hiking distance: 19 Km. / 12.3 mile
 Hiking time: 6 hour approximately.
 Climate: hot in the day and warm in the night.
 Acomodation: Hostel: Aguas Calientes.
 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
 Maximum Altitude: 2050 masl / 6725 ft.
 Minimum Altitude: 1430 masl / 4691 ft.

• DAY 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

Finally on last day of our Inca jungle tour we get up around 4:00AM. After which we´ll get ready to head to Machu Picchu, our trek will follow an ascending path through the high forest, after registering in the control entrance around 6:00AM. we will have a private guide leading us within the Inca citadel for about 1,5 hours.

The travelers that booked the hiking to HuaynaPicchu or Machu Picchu Mountain will be able to start this journey, the climbing lasts around 45 min. for Huayna Picchu, the way up is very steppy at some points but it’s worth it because the view from the top is absolutely breathtaking.

For Machu Picchu Montaña, it´ll last you about 2hrs to go up, and it´s not as steep as Huayna Picchu, and even higher! Please note that you have to go before a certain time, so don´t forget to ask your guide which time you have been issued.

You will have until 5PM time to explore Machu Picchu on your own, because then the guards will ask you to leave. In the afternoon, according to the departure of the train ticket, you will descend walking on your own to the town of Aguas Calientes to get the train back to Ollantaytambo where the group will be picked up and transferred to Cusco city.

 Distance Travelled: 8 Km. / 4.9 mile
 Hiking time: 2 hour approximately.
 Optional: Shuttle to Machu Picchu:25 minutes from Aguas Calientes.
 Machu Picchu guided tour: 2½ hour.
 Climate: tropical warm.
 Shuttle to Cusco:3 hours by train and bus from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.
 Meals: Breakfast.
 Maximum Altitude: 2429 masl / 7972 ft.
 Minimum Altitude: 2040 masl / 6692 ft.

ITINERARY

• DAY 1 CITY TOUR

Arrival to the city of Cusco, upon your arrival, we will be waiting for you at the Cusco airport, to transfer you to your hotel.

13.00 Hrs. In the afternoon we start the guided tour of the Imperial City of Cusco, visit the Plaza Mayor, the Qoricancha Temple and the nearby archaeological centers of Kenko, Tambomachay, Pucapucara and the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman.

Night of accommodation in the Qosqo Wasi.

• DAY 2 SACRED VALLEY

08.00 am. After breakfast, we pick you up from your hotel, to take a full day excursion to the “Sacred Valley of the Incas”. Visit the picturesque town of Pisac and its colorful Artisan Fair.

At noon we will have a buffet lunch in a tourist restaurant.

In the afternoon we continue the journey to the Inca Town and Fortress of Ollantaytambo, a gigantic administrative, agricultural, civil, military and religious complex of the time of the Tawantinsuyo.

At night at approximately 9:00 p.m., we embark on the local train, bound for the town of Aguas Calientes, where our representative will be waiting to accommodate them at the hotel.

Approximately at 11.00 pm, our Guide will place you at the Hotel to give you the indications of the excursion to Machu Picchu the next day.

• DAY 3 MACHUPICCHU .. sunrise on the top !!!

After breakfast, we move to the station, to accommodate them on buses that will take them to the citadel of Machupicchu, in a trip of approximately 30 minutes.

In the mountains, we will enjoy the sunrise in the citadel, then our Guide will start the guided tour of approximately 2 hours, through the main sectors of the citadel: Agricultural, Civil, Military and Religious, visiting the Intiwatana, the temple of the sun, the Temple of the Condor and other important sectors.

Later you will have free time to explore the city on your own and around 1:00 p.m., we will be taking the bus back to Aguas Calientes where you can have lunch on your own.

In the afternoon we return by train to Cusco, where we will be waiting for you at the Ollanta station to transfer you to your hotel in the city of Cusco.

• DAY 4 DEPARTURE TRANSFER

After breakfast at the hotel, and at the appointed time, we pick you up from your hotel to transfer you to the airport in Cusco and take your flight to Lima.

ITINERARY

• Day 1: Cusco — Tauca — Huchuy Qosqo — Ollantaytambo — Aguas Calientes.

You will start driving from your hotel to the small Village of Tauca,(3750m) the beginning of your trek will be on level terrain, and the landscape will be that of typical Andean valleys rich in corn, potatoes, barley, quinoa and other Andean tubers. As you ascend towards your pass at 4050m, the landscape begins to change dramatically to that classic of high Andean savannah or Puna, with scant vegetation, mainly “ichu” or high altitude grass. The views of the Cordillera Vilcanota peaks are spectacular: Veronica, Pitusiray, Chicon and San Juan snow peaks. Soon after the pass you will start your descent toward the Huchuy Qosqo plains hiking along a path that leads to the Ccauca ravine, where you will be able to see archaeological remains and wild crops, such as tarwi, and a large quantity of cacti. You will walk downhill towards the Leon Punku ravine, where you will find remains of an Inca bridge and trail. This canyon boasts geological formations surrounded by majestic rocks and boulders that direct the river to Huchuy Qosqo at 3650 m. Huchuy Qosqo (“Little Cuzco”) is a Noteworthy Inca complex. It boasts very fine stonework in a large Kallanka (rectangular Hall), some residential and defensive quarters and interesting two-story buildings in stone and adobe. Huchuy Qosqo is located on a plateau, surrounded by Inca agricultural terracing and commanding superb views of the Vilcabamba range. Afterwards we’ll go down hill to Lamay at 2900m where we’ll catch our transport driving to Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo is the place where we’ll continue by train to Aguas Calientes town. Overnight in hotel.

 Hiking distance: 14 Km. / 8.6 mile.
 Hiking time: 6½ to 7 hour approximately.
 Climate: hot in the day and cold in the night.
 Acomodation: Hostel.
 Meals: Lunch, Dinner.
 Maximum Altitude: 4350 masl. / 14271 ft.
 Minimum Altitude: 3700 masl. / 12139 ft.

• Day 2: Aguas Calientes — Machu Picchu — Cusco.

After breakfast we will board the bus which will take us to the biggest energetic center of the Incas, “Machu Picchu”. As part of our itinerary the same professional tour guide from the Huchuy Qosqo trek; will teach you about all the history of this mysterious and mystical place. We will visit the Sun Temple, Royal palace, Main Temple, Three Windows Temple and Sun Dial. It will be an unforgettable experience. After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore on your own.

If you have booked Wayna picchu, you will need to coordinate with your guide for Machu Picchu visiting depending on your scheduled time to the mountain, for people not hiking any of the mountains there are some other optional activities on your own (not included in the price):

Visit the Sun Gate: You will have an opportunity to walk (approx. 2 hours up and down) up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) to see Machu Picchu from a different angle.
Hike to the Inca Bridge: The Inca Bridge offers a dose of adventure for your next Machu Picchu visit. However in this case, the adventure is a little less strenuous, but a lot more death defying, not for people with vertigo.
Train back to Cusco: In the afternoon you will return to the train station in Aguas Calientes for the trip back to Ollantaytambo. Upon your arrival to train station you will be transferred by car to your hotel in Cusco.

 Distance Travelled: 3 Km. / 1.8 mile
 Machu Picchu guided tour: 2½ hour.
 Climate: tropical warm.
 Shuttle to Cusco:3 hours by train and bus from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.
 Meals: Breakfast.
 Maximum Altitude: 2429 masl / 7972 ft.
 Minimum Altitude: 2040 masl / 6692 ft.

ITINERARY

• Day 1: Sacsayhuaman – Pisaq – Ollantaytambo

Your Andean Land Expeditions tour guide will pick you up at your hotel lobby at 8 a.m. They will take you to your first destination, Sacsayhuaman, the most beautiful ruin created by the Incas. Here, you will see a great representation of the Incan architecture that remains so well intact, today. At Sacsayhuaman, you will see the largest stone that survives in any Inca ruin.

From Sacsayhuaman, we will head towards the Sacred Valley. Along the way, we will visit Awanacancha, a weaving center and Andean Land farm. You will observe the differences between llamas, Andean Lands, vicuñas and guanacos, as well as the different varieties of potatoes and corn, that are special to the Sacred Valley. Following, we will drive to the Pisaq Inca Ruins. We will see hundreds of terraces for agriculture, where the Incas farmed corn, potatoes, and quinoa. The religious and astronomical side of the Incas will be visible, at this sight.

Afterwards, we will descend into Pisaq market, the most traditional handicraft market. You will have the opportunity to try some of the local delicacies during our lunch break. After lunch, we will drive through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, an Incan checkpoint, where they protected Machu Picchu against any enemies. This is the best example of an intact Inca village, with its waterways running through the quaint streets of the town. Your tour guide will set you up in your hotel before you have a chance to explore, relax and enjoy dinner.

Accommodations: Tunupa Hotel, el Albergue (or similar)
Meals: Not included
Entrance Tickets: Included

• Day 2: Maras – Moray – Chincheros – Train to Aguas Calientes ( Machu picchu )

We would pick you up at 8am, then we will drive to Salineras/Maras Salt Mines. There are 3,000 salt pools, which act as evaporation chambers. They spill out of the mountain and down the mountainside at 12,000 feet above sea level. Owned by local farmers, these pools have become the main economic activity for all the locals.

After the mines, we will drive to Moray Inca Archeological Center. The Inca used Moray as a way to study farming. They built terraces and experimented with different vegetables. You will see each terrace of Moray and the differences in growth they provided.

We will then drive to Chincheros, where we will see some Inca terracing, used as the perfect location to farm potatoes. The entire Inca civilization got their supply of potatoes from here. We will also see one unique, colonial church, that was built by the Spaniards, on the top of the Inca palace. Finally, we will visit one final textile center.

We will head back to Ollantaytambo, where you can enjoy dinner at one of local restaurants. You will be brought to your hotel, to prepare for your next day, visiting Machu Picchu.

Accommodations: La Cabaña, or similar
Meals: Breakfast only
Entrance Tickets: Included

• Day 3: Machu Picchu

We encourage you to wake up early in the morning to get to the bus station for one of the first shuttle-style buses, starting at 5.30 a.m. This bus will take about 25 minutes to get to Machu Picchu. As soon as you arrive at the complex, we will take you to the best spot overlooking all the ruins. There will be a rendezvous to observe the sunrise and see a spectacular view of the Lost City of the Incas. You will then have a two hour, guided tour around Machu Picchu, followed by time to explore on your own. If you have tickets to climb one of the mountains of Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu, your guide will then direct you those trails. Due to popularity, be sure this is arranged at least two months in advance. Once you are finished exploring Machu Picchu, you will take a bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch, followed by an afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo. We will have private transportation back to Cusco, where we will drop you off at your hotel.