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Cusco
Day 1: Arrival in Cusco and transfer from the airport to your hotel. Free morning to acclimatize and, lunch at your leisure.
In the afternoon we will wander the streets of the city on foot visiting the Cathedral, Koricancha (temple of the sun) and finally the artistic area of San Blas.
We will get together later on in the afternoon for a briefing regarding our upcoming trips and destinations. Dinner at your leisure.
Overnight in Cusco. The Sacred Valley
Day 2: We will depart Cusco and make our way to the Sacred Valley, passing through Urubamba with a spectacular view of the chains of mountains of the Urubamba region, its glaciers and cultivation fields. En route we will visit the town of Chinchero, situated on a high altitude plateau, famous for the variety and quality of its artisian goods, this is where we will begin to discover the art of the Andean textile tradition. Later we will continue onto the picturesque town of Maras and visit the Inca salt mines, where we will enjoy a rustic picnic with the sacred Valley as our backdrop. We will arrive in Ollantaytambo in the afternoon and have time to visit the ruins as well as the Inca town. This town has been inhabited for almost 600 years, and continues to be until now, the town itself is considered and archeological site, a great place to see and feel the history. We will have dinner and stay the night at the El Albergue B&B.
Overnight in Ollantaytambo Visit to Machu Picchu
Day 3: After boarding the train in Ollantaytambo, we will head to the town of Aguas Calientes. Upon arriving we will board the bus from Agua Calientes to the entrance of Machu Picchu and make our visit to this magical city. Our guide will help us to understand the architecture, history and design as well as the energy emitted by Machu Picchu. We will have a late lunch in Aguas Calientes before departing for Ollantaytambo. Here we will have dinner at the “Mayupata” restaurant before resting and staying the night at El Albergue B&B.
Overnight in Ollantaytambo Discover the indigenous community: Amaru
Day 4: After a good night’s rest we will drive through the Sacred Valley until we reach the Amaru community, located high in the mountains near the town of Pisaq. Today we will participate with members of the community in a variety of interactive activities where we will discover the processes involved in the traditional art of weaving. From the cultivating and harvesting of dyeing plants to the use of the “away” or weaving instrument held in place at the weaver’s waist. This is a great opportunity to share in the culture and everyday activities of the community. We will return to Cusco in the afternoon allowing you to have dinner at your leisure.
Overnight in Cusco Explore Saqsayhuaman
Day 5: This will be a truly entertaining morning, beginning with a visit to the local San Pedro market, which will allow us to appreciate life in a Peruvian town. The great variety of colors, produce, market stalls and foods, as well as natural medicines, artesian goods, traditional clothing and customs of the region amongst others. After this insight into Cusco, we will visit the ruins above the city, Sacsayhuaman, which played an important ceremonial role during the era of the Tahuantinsuyo Empire. We will enjoy an outdoors picnic with a great view of Saqsayhuaman and Cusco, with music from local performers completing the scenery. There is the option of returning to Cusco on foot from Saqsayhuaman, through the San Blas district and to the main Plaza de Armas or via bus directly. Afternoon and evening at your leisure.
Optional:
Attend the local theatre production, Kusikay
Overnight in Cusco The Ausangate Glacier: 02 days with the guardians of the Apu
Day 6: This trip will take us to the heart of the Andean culture of the mountainous regions: we will discover glaciers, lagoons, agricultural fields, llamas and alpacas and we will see how the locals interact with their environment. Despite this community being relatively close to Cusco’s city center, it has remained virtually unchanged in its traditions and ancestral ways of life.
We will be able to appreciate this community’s weaving techniques and iconography, different to that seen in Chinchero and Amaru, each unique and magical none the less. Taking part in clipping of the alpaca wool as well as the threading of the “pushca” will take us into the afternoon. A visit to the natural hot springs will allow us to take in the energy of the glaciers that surround us.
Meals and lodging will be arranged for us by members of the community, as they will prepare for our visit many days before our arrival. We will have the unique opportunity to lodge with local families and dine with them in their homes.
On our second day we will prepare for our return to Cusco, where we can either have the night free to dine as we please or organize ourselves for a final farewell dinner.
Day 06 Overnight in the Community of Pacchanta
Day 07 Overnight in Cusco Transfer to the airport
Day 7: Transfer from your hotel to the Cusco airport according to your flight details.
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