07 Day Andean Experience Through the Living Culture of the Incas

Itinerary

Day 1: CUSCO NAVEL OF THE WORLD

Pass By: Cusco 08007, Peru
Upon your arrival to the airport in Cusco, an Inkayni Peru Tours member will be there to greet you and take you to our partner lodge, located in the charming historic district of San Blas. The lodge is centrally located and only a few minutes walk from the Plaza de Armas, the beautiful and bustling town center. This day will be reserved for resting and acclimatising to the altitude, approximately 3400 meters (11,000 feet).

Meet your expedition group at 5:00pm

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Tandapata Boutique Hotel *** or similar

Day 2: CITY TOUR

Stop At: Cusco 08007, Peru
This trip starts at Sacsayhuaman, one of the emblematic buildings of the Inca Empire (just a few minutes from the centre of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site) built by the Inca Pachacutec in the 15th Century. It is a vast fortress built from huge stones; how they were transported and worked is still a mystery. It has been calculated that what we see today is only twenty percent of the original structure, because when the Spanish arrived they used its stones for new buildings such as the cathedral.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Tandapata Boutique Hotel *** or similar.

Day 3: MACHU PICCHU

Stop At: Machu Picchu, 08680, Peru
Today, we will rise very early for breakfast and ascend to the citadel Inka of Machu Picchu (approx 25 minutes by bus) to appreciate sunrise at this magical place, a famous masterpiece of architecture and engineering, believed to have been a sanctuary and energetic center. Today, Machu Picchu is recognized by UNESCO as one of the seven wonders of the world and a World Heritage site.

Optional: The trek to the peak of Huayna Picchu, a rigorous climb on steep trails with impressive ruins and spectacular views, a round-trip of 2 hours.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Golden Sunrise Hotel *** or similar

Day 4: OLLANTAYTAMBO – MORAY-SALT MINES

Stop At: Sacred Valley of the Incas, 0051 Peru
Return to “living” Inka town of Ollantaytambo by train and continue by car to Moray, an ancient construction designed for agricultural investigations and studies of different crops in a range of altitudes. Here, the many concentric “rings” of terraces produce a fine gradient of micro-climates; the warmth of the lowest central ring slowly dissipates as the rings ascend outward and upward, creating reductions in temperatures until reaching the ground-level norm.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Chinchero Hotel Boutique

Day 5: CHINCHERO (TEXTILE INTERPRETATION CENTER)

Stop At: Sacred Valley of the Incas, 0051 Peru
Chinchero: the rainbow village, home of the ruins of the royal palace of the Inka Túpac Inca Yupanqui, a picturesque community located on a high plateau overlooking the many snowcapped peaks of the Cusco region. Here we can admire the wellpreserved Inka walls of the main square as well as the many altars. We will also visit the beautiful colonial church, unique for its interior artwork and imagery.

Moving on, we will participate in a wonderful introduction and learning experience of the art of Andean textiles; throughout the afternoon we will become acquainted with the wisdom of Andean weavings as maintained since long before Inka times. Traditional food will be prepared for lunch here.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: la Casa de Barro Lodge.

Day 6: ANIMAL SANCTUARY – PISAQ – PISAQ MARKET

Stop At: Sacred Valley of the Incas, 0051 Peru
Travel to the Sacred Valley of the Inkas towards the town of Pisaq. We will stop on the way to visit the animal sanctuary of Cochawasi: here we may observe many of the native Andean species such as the puma, Andean cóndor, alpacas, and many more. Further en route we will stop for at a spectacular viewing location to observe the Urubamba river as it curves like a serpent through the mosaic-like agricultural lands.

As we continue towards the town of Pisaq, we may also observe the construction design of the archaeological site of Pisaq, which many say portrays the profile of a condor. Pisaq is known mainly for two reasons – for its famous craft market and for its archaeological site. Here we will have free time to wander the market and to interact with the many local artisans. The ruins of Pisaq, high above the modern town on the mountain, is one of the most important of the Sacred Valley.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Tandapata Boutique hotel *** or similar.

Day 7: FREE WALKING TOUR -FLY TO LIMA

Pass By: Cusco 08007, Peru
Free morning to relax, This afternoon transfer to the airport for your departure to Lima

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.