Short Trek to Machu Picchu

On arrival to Cusco airport, you will be met and driven overland to the Sacred Valley and to the archaeological complex of Pisac, a journey which will take approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes. On the way you will stop on route to take some pictures and admire the Pucara Bulls on the roofs of Andean houses. These small bulls are thought to be amulets that bring wealth to each family who owns them; they are usually given as gifts on weddings. On arrival to the archaeological complex of Pisac, you will begin our tour of the site, during the course of our hike around this area; appreciate the magnificent Andean terraces, which were built to expand the agriculture lands.

After we will visit the artisan market of Pisac a colorful local event that over the centuries has attracted local traders and remote communities from all over the valley, dressed in their traditional and colorful costumes enjoy the opportunity to interact with local people, appreciate their craftsmanship, handicrafts and local fruit and vegetable stalls.

After lunch, you will make your way to the town of Ollantaytambo, with its distinct Inca urban planning, visit the religious, astronomical, and military complex and observe how the ancient Peruvians moved boulders of nearly 60 metric tons from one mountain to another and across the river and valley.

Finally, you will be transferred to your hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Today you will visit Chinchero, a small traditional village located on the way to Urubamba from Cusco. At Chinchero you will visit a traditional weaving workshop where you will be given a very interesting presentation on how the local artisans use natural products such as various plants, minerals and even insects to obtain the varied selection of colors used to dye their textiles.

Next, continue towards the Archaeological Site of Moray, these unusual Inca constructions, mostly consisting of several enormous terraced circular depressions, have been built in such a way that the temperature difference from the highest and the lowest terrace can be of up to 10 °C. Moray seems to have been an Inca agricultural experiment station to adapt crops to different microclimates. After the visit you will have lunch at local restaurant.

We continue, moving on to the Maras Salt Mines. These Salt Mines have been used since long before the Inca times. The extraction method employed involves using an ancient drying process, whereby saltwater, flowing from an underground stream, is left in thousands of wells until it has evaporated, leaving behind only the salt, which is then ready to be sold or exchanged for provisions. Finally return to the hotel to overnight.

In the morning you will be transferred from your hotel to the train station at Ollanta, where you will board your train to KM 104. Here you will start your trek towards the archaeological site of Chachabamba (2150m/7052ft) and Wiñaywayna (2650m/8692f), you will hike upwards for about 8km, approximately 4 hours, until you reach the Inca Site of, Wiñay Wayna.

This is an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector. We will then continue to Inti Punku ‘The Sun Gate’ which will take about 1 hour and from this point we can admire the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (2400m/7874f). (Pls note that tour of the Sanctuary will be provided the next day). Box lunch is included.

Finally, you will take the shuttle bus down the hill to the village of Machu Picchu, where you will overnight in a local hotel. Dinner is included at the hotel.

At a coordinated time in the morning, you will be transferred to board your regular bus uphill to Machu Picchu (approximately 20 minutes). On arrival to Machu Picchu, you will begin your tour of the Citadel where you will appreciate the history of this enigmatic and impressive place. This stone citadel, located 112 km from Cusco, was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. The citadel was built on a very special spot covered in vegetation between two mountains: the Machu Picchu (old mountain) and Huayna Picchu (young mountain), at the foot of which meanders the Urubamba or Vilcanota River (lower Jungle featuring abundant flora and fauna). After completing the tour, you will return to Aguas Calientes.

The afternoon is free to enjoy the activities included at the hotel:

NATURE WALK:
Walk along the hotel’s trails, discover the fascinating yet fragile ecosystem of the Machu Picchu cloud forest, and learn about its many indigenous plants and animals. The Nature Walk offers travellers a glimpse of cloud forest flora: ferns, bromeliads and orchids and fauna -an interesting variety of birds, as well as an introduction to the Vilcanota river system the Observatory, the tea garden and house.

ORCHID TRAIL:
Walkthrough the orchid garden to observe some of the hotel’s 372 different native orchid species in their natural habitat, the world record according to the American Orchid Society. Discover this extraordinary plant family, which has captured the human imagination for centuries. From the largest orchid flower in the world – the Phragmipedium caudatum to tiny flowering specimens properly appreciated only through a magnifying glass.

In the morning, you will enjoy a second visit of the archaeological site of Machu Picchu by your own.

After the visit, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and take lunch by your own.

Later, assistance to the train station to board the train to Poroy.

Reception at the train station and transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

At a coordinated time in the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel, and you will start the city tour visiting Cusco ́s Historical Inca and Spanish Colonial Monuments, such as the Main Square, known in Inca Times as Huaycapata or the Warrior ́s Square; it was the scene for many key events in Cusco ́s history.

The Cathedral, originally built on the site of the old temple of Suntur Wasi (House of God), now the church of El Triunfo, a particular interest are the choir cloisters, the pulpit, the engravings on the altar and furniture. Continue on to the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo, a Spanish construction belonging to the Dominican Order built upon the foundations of the Inca temple of Koricancha or Temple of the Sun. Koricancha (in quechua, site of gold) was the main religious building of the Incas dedicated to the worship of the Sun and which walls, according to the chronicles, were plated with sheets of gold. Magnificent blocks of finely carved stone were used in its construction.

Afterwards, you will visit the surrounding ruins of the city of Cusco: Sacsayhuaman, this huge Inca fortress is built on three overlapping platforms, each of them over 360 meters long. Then we continue, onto Tambomachay, known as the Inca baths. It was apparently a site dedicated to the worship of water and a resting place for the Inca Monarch. Kenko it is said to have been a worship site. There is a huge, 5,9 meters high stone block that looks like a puma. There are also passages, canals and stairways with stone engravings representing animals. Finally, Puca Pucará, which was an administrative and military centre formed by terraces, stairways, passages, turrets, and vaulted niches.

At the end of the tour, you will return to your hotel.

Afternoon is free for personal activities or walking by the surroundings of the hotel.

At the coordinated time, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight to Lima and connect with your international flight.