Luxury Tour of the Peruvian Andes
From:
$3250 $2925
$3250 $2925
| Destination: | Cusco, Maras Salt Mines, Moray, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, Red Valley, Lake Humantay |
|---|---|
| Duration: | 6 days / 5 nights |
| Difficulty: | Moderate |
| Total Distance: | 32 km / 20 miles |
| Group Size: | 2 - 8 Persons |
| Price: | $3965.00p/p$3568.50p/p |
| Payment Terms: | Advance of US$ 210 through PayPal and Balance on Arrival |
| Price Includes: |
|
| Not Included: |
|
After a 12.30 pm pick up from your hotel, we’ll drive you to Cusco’s Plaza de Armas which was once a gathering spot for the Incas. We’ll start your Cusco City Tour itinerary with a visit to the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin, or simply the Cusco Cathedral.
Informed by a gothic-renaissance style with subtle hints of baroque trimmings, you’ll be enamored by the architectural design of the Cusco Cathedral, built by Spanish architects and conquistadors in 1654.
We’ll then walk to Qoricancha, the most revered temple of the Inca, whereupon the Inca worshiped the Incan Sun God, Inti. Here, you’ll learn all about the history of the once golden temple.
Then it’s off to Sol Avenue wherefrom we’ll hop into a van and drive down to the archeological site of Sacsayhuaman. Featuring polygonal blocks 4 meters in height and weighing over 100 tons, Sacsayhuaman was originally constructed as a fortress but was later used predominantly as a storage depot and an Inca ceremonial site. Its zigzag walls, constructed to meticulous precision are a sight to behold.
Another 5 minute van drive from there will take us to Quenqo, an archeological site built by the Incas in the architectural design of a labyrinth.
We’ll then drive to Puca Pucara. Known as the red fortress, Puca Pucara was believed to have been used as a military operational center and a resting site of the Incas.
Our final stop on this Peru cultural tour is Tambomachay, a religious site where the Incas genuflected in worship before the altar of the Water God. This archeological site still features some interesting aqueducts, channels and fountains sculpted into stonewalls. The Cusco City Tour itinerary for the day then draws to a close prompting our return to Cusco.
After an 8.00 am pick up from your hotel and a 1 hour drive, we’ll arrive in Chinchero to tour the small Andean village hailed by the Incas as the birthplace of the rainbow. We’ll tour the Chinchero archeological center which features sacred Inca ruins and a pristine colonial church, surrounded by beguiling views of the misty mountains of Peru.
We’ll then visit Chinchero’s textile centers where you can imbibe in the ancient handloom traditions of Peru as the locals teach you the art of weaving alpaca wool into patterns idiosyncratic to Peruvian culture.
A 30 minute drive from there will take us to the Maras Salt Mines, a fantastical mosaic of over 3,000 salt ponds believed to have been manmade by the Wari civilization in 500 – 1100 AD. You could also purchase some Peruvian salt from the nearby shops.
Then it’s off for a 30 minute drive to the Moray archeological site. Shrouded in mystery with questions as to its original purpose, the Moray archeological site features 3 circular terraces lying in close proximity to one another within the Sacred Valley.
The day will draw to a close with the exploration of the cultural phenomenon that is Moray. We’ll then drive back to Cusco.
After an 8:00 am pickup from your hotel and a 20 minute drive, we’ll arrive at Huayllarcocha where you’ll bear witness to Peru’s famed fauna, llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas. On this leg of the cultural tour, you’ll learn all about the different types of wool and, by the end of your trip, you’ll be a true Peruvian wool pro.
A 30 minute drive from Huayllarcocha will take us to the enchanting lookout point of Taray, from where you’ll be able to garner a glimpse of the Sacred Valley.
Another 30 minute drive will take us to the archeological site of Pisaq, where you’ll see sprawling agricultural terraces built by the ancient Incas, featuring their meticulous stone and clay works, while our guide enlightens you on the history of the Incas of Pisaq.
We’ll then return to the town of Pisaq to visit the handicraft market, where you may chance upon some Peruvian handicraft gems to gift your loved ones back at home.
Then it’s off on another 1 hour drive to Urubamba, where you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant (not included in the tour package).
We’ll then take a 30 minute drive to Ollantaytambo fortress, taking a quick pitstop in Yanahuara to visit a Chicheria – a local corn brewery – where you’ll get to try some Chicha, a popular brewed concoction dating back to Inca times.
Then we’ll hit the road again to get to Ollantaytambo, and visit the Last Living Inca Village, which features an intricate network of curiously designed water channels, some passing under houses within the village.
We’ll then visit the Ollantaytambo fortress before catching the 90 minute train to Machu Picchu town or Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival in Machu Picchu town, you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant before retiring for the night to get a good night’s sleep before your full day tour of Machu Picchu.
With an early wake up call to kickstart the day, you’ll check-out of the hotel after enjoying a nutritious breakfast. Then it’s off to catch the 30 minute bus to Machu Picchu so we can make it in time to witness Machu Picchu’s spectacular sunrise.
You’ll then get to explore Machu Picchu for 2 – 3 hours while our tour guide sheds light on the ancient Incan ways and the history behind the magnificent citadel. You’ll then get to explore Peru’s urban areas independently and enjoy a little spontaneous exploration of Peru’s famed archeological site.
You’ll then hop on the bus and head down to Machu Picchu town or Aguas Calientes, where you will reunite with our tour guide. You may then take a pitstop for lunch at a local restaurant (not included in the tour package) before hopping on a 2 hour train ride to Ollantaytambo.
From here you will be chauffer driven to Cusco where you will be dropped off safely at your hotel.
After a 4:00 am hotel pickup, a 2 hour drive will take us across the Andes to arrive in Cusipata for a delicious breakfast.
We’ll then take a 1 hour van drive to Phulawasipata where we’ll begin the Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Trek with a 2 hour gradual uphill hike.
Upon reaching the Rainbow Mountain, you’ll get to soak up its spectacular sights and surroundings before we take a gradual 30 minute uphill walk and head over to the lookout of the Red Valley.
Afterward we’ll head back to Phulawasipata for a 1 hour 30 minute jaunt. A 1 hour bus drive will then take us to Cusipata village where you’ll enjoy a delectable lunch, freshly cooked using organic and locally grown ingredients.
Afterward we’ll take a 2 hour drive back to Cusco where you’ll be safely dropped off at your hotel.
A 4.30 am pickup from your hotel, followed by a 3 hour 30 minute drive across the Andes towards Soraypampa will take you to our first pitstop. Here we will enjoy a spot of breakfast, while your eyes feast on the luscious vistas of the snow-capped Humantay and Salkantay mountains that unfurl before you.
Fueled by a nutritious breakfast, we’ll then set off on a 2 hour uphill hike to Lake Humantay to explore the magical topography that surrounds its turquoise waters.
A 1 hour downhill walk from there will take us to Soraypampa where you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our chef using locally and organically grown ingredients.
We’ll then seal the day with another 3 hour 30 minute drive back to Cusco where you’ll be safely dropped off at your hotel.
For treks and tours, the deposit is $200 + $10 service fee = $210 per person. The remaining balance must be settled before the tour.
