Highlights: Machu Picchu, Salkantay Mountain, Andes Mountains, Cusco, Pisaq Ruins and Market, Ollantaytambo Fortress
Hiking through the Salkantay mountain to Machu Picchu
Explore the historic center of Cusco, speak Quechua among the locals Sacred Valley, Trek the path that linked the Inca Empire, Experience astonishment at a sunrise from Machu Picchu, the colonial and Inca architecture of Peru.
Cusco Airport Transfer
0500 AM
Upon arrival, reception and transfer to the Hotel Cusco; where you will be welcomed with coca-infused tea (“mate de coca”) that will help you get used to the altitude – free morning to take a walk around the ancient capital of the Incas or to acclimatize to the great settings altitude.
After lunch at 1:30 pm; Tour Cusco including the Cathedral, Koricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara, and Tambomachay. Our tour begins at the Plaza de Armas in Cusco. You will enter the Cathedral of Cusco and see the beautiful wood crafts and colonial paintings that contain extensive Inca iconography. Visit the Koricancha (Temple of the Sun) in which the Santo Domingo Convent was built. Legend has it that this temple was completely covered in gold, which impressed the conquerors upon their arrival.
Ascend to the Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuaman and visit the Citadel. This is the royal house where they admired the Sun God but also worshiped younger gods. Admire this great structure and enjoy the magnificent scenery that brings peace and tranquility. Next, visit Qenqo, the ancient temple of the Puma. Inside you can see a sacrificial altar made of a huge stone. In Tambomachay, you will see the sacred sources of life and health. Pucapucara safeguarded the gates of the city and the Fortress of Sacsayhuamán. The tour ends with a detailed visit to the city of Cusco.
• Food: None
Note: It is highly recommended that you arrive in Cusco between 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Breakfast at the hotel; Pick up at the hotel at 8:30 am for your full day excursion to the impressive Sacred Valley of the Incas, explore the beautiful landscape of Peru with a full day excursion of the magical Sacred Valley. First, you will visit the city of Pisaq, known for its lively market. This hometown was once where “Forex trading” took place. In this type of operation, clients exchange one good for another instead of using the currency. Visit the Pisaq market, where you can buy wonderfully handcrafted products handcrafted by the locals.
On Sunday, the main attraction is a mass celebrated in Quechua and performed in Spanish. It is the presence of the mayors and their assistants who play traditional musical instruments called “pututos”.
Afterwards, you can enjoy a typical Peruvian lunch (included in the price) before visiting the Ollantaytambo fortress.
Next, we will visit the impressive ruins of the Ollantaytambo fortress. These magnificent ancient ruins serve as great vantage points to gaze out over the valley. Originally the royal domain of Emperor Pachakuteq during the Inca Empire, this site later served as a stronghold for Manco Inca in the final Inca rebellion against the Spanish. In the afternoon return to Cusco – Accommodation at the Cusco Hotel
• Food: Breakfast, Lunch
Pick up from the hotel at 5:00 am in a private transport and start a scenic morning at our starting point on the Soraypampa trek. The path climbs a tourist circuit along the right bank of the Apurímac River and crosses the town of Mollepata (2800m / 9184ft) and Cruzpata to finally reach Soraypampa (3800m / 12464ft), the starting point of the trek. We start our hike towards the base of Mount Salcantay, crossing Salcantaypampa, and then begin a 2 hrs steep climb to Soyroccocha, right next to the impressive Salkantay glacier. Continuing uphill, we reach the highest point of the Abra Huayracmachay trek (4525m / 14846ft). From this point, we begin to descend towards the so-called cloud forest. Along the route, we can see the remains of an ancient Inca trail, which is approximately 6 meters wide. We arrive at our campsite Huayracmachay (3,850m / 12628ft). Cabins
• Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast; We will continue our walk with an easy descent on foot along the Salcantay River, enjoying the increasingly abundant vegetation, passing through waterfalls, passion fruit and coffee plantations. The arid highland landscape begins to transform into a cloud forest full of trees and bromeliads. It is known that Phentermine is excreted mainly through the kidneys, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be higher in patients with renal insufficiency. Since elderly patients are more likely to have reduced kidney function, care should be taken when choosing a dose, and this may be useful for monitoring kidney function. Read more at https://pattisonhealth.com/phentermine-adipex-online/. After 3 hours we reached the Chaullay settlement, and after an hour and a half, we passed the town of Colpapampa. From Colpapampa, the Salkantay River becomes the Santa Teresa River. After a rest, we continue our descent to the banks of the Totora River, where we can enjoy a delicious bath in the thermo-medicinal waters. Following the Santa Teresa river, we pass the waterfalls in Coripacchi, the settlement in Wiñaypoko and finally we arrive at Lucmabamba (2,100 m / 6888ft) camping. Cabins
• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast, walk to Llactapata on the way we can see banana, coffee and avocado plantations, as well as the exuberant local flora. We enter Andean-bear territory and we will probably accompany flocks of parrots as we descend. We cross the river and begin to climb for 2-3 hours to the Abra Q’elloqasa (2860m / 9381ft) from where we have an exceptional view of Machu Picchu. We enjoy incredible view from Llaqtapata (2650m / 8692ft) from where we can see both Machu Picchu and Salkantay, enjoying the added value of the Llactapata archaeological zone, which have been recently restored. A 2-hour descent towards the Aobamba River crossing lush bamboo forests and more orchards and coffee plantations takes us to the Hydroelectric Plant from where we will board the train that takes us to Aguas Calientes (40 minutes by train)
We will spend the night in Aguas Calientes hotel
• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Breakfast at the hotel; Full day excursion to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes, early transfer at 5:30 am to the bus stop for the short trip (25 minutes) to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, you will participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock (the most important preserved Intihuatana), the royal rooms, the Temple of the Three Windows, houses, warehouses, a large central square; and all connected by narrow roads and passes that are surrounded by terraces carved into the mountainside. After the tour you will have time to wander around the archaeological site at your leisure.
Then, you will have time to do any of the following activities by yourself (not included in the price):
1. Ascent to Wayna Picchu; For the more adventurous, we suggest you climb the Wayna Picchu from where you can appreciate the immensity of Machu Picchu, being even more surprisingly high and distant.
Train back to Cusco: In the afternoon you will return to the Aguas Calientes train station for the return trip to Cusco – departure of the train to Cusco; upon arrival at the reception and transfer to the Hotel Cusco
• Food: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel; transfer to the airport to take the flight back to Lima
• Food: Breakfast