Cultural Tours of Peru - Meet the Locals
Peru is known for its Inca history, its impressive archaeological centers and its beautiful colonial heritage seen in its churches and mansions. However, it is the living culture that gives it the charm that makes it unique, the towns that still preserve their mystical heritage and Andean traditions. Discover on these trips the true essence of the life of the Andean man, coexisting in a community, being part of their beliefs and rituals, in a unique experience.
Essence of Living Peru |
Andean Traversy |
|
DAY 1 | CUSCO – NEARBY ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
At arrival in Cusco you will be transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of this charming city, which was the capital of the Inca Empire. The journey begins by visiting the Santo Domingo Convent that was built on the Inca temple of the Coricancha, one of the essential enclosures dedicated to the cult of the sun. The ancient chronicles say that its walls were covered with gold leaf and full of golden representations of nature. Then, visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument of the Plaza de Armas. Then head towards the Cusco hills where the fortress of Sacsayhuamán is located, whose imposing walls offer an impressive panoramic view of Cusco. Continue to Qenqo, an archaeological complex of religious use where it is believed that the Incas practised rituals related to agriculture. Your tour ends in Puka Pukara, in quechua "strong red", an architectural complex of supposed military use, with multiple environments, plazas, baths, aqueducts and towers. It is believed that the Inca entourage used it while the leader rested in Tambomachay. After finishing the visit, you will return to your hotel.
DAY 2 | HUILLOC - KUSI RUNA A vehicle will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco to take you to Huilloc, a community in the province of Urubamba. Participate in a traditional Inca practice called Kusi Runa, where you will be part of the group of people in charge of work in the land or chakra. Before the day's work, you will visit the house of the owner of the chakra next to an interpreter to taste an infusion of muña - a well-known Andean medicinal plant, and to dress in the typical costumes of the members of the community (ponchos for men and blankets) for the women). The men will go to the field for planting, and the women will stay at home to cook, learning to prepare dishes with local organic ingredients. After the work of the day, men and women gather in a ritual full of music and dance, an excellent opportunity to see up close the lifestyle of the Andean man.
DAY 3 | HUILLOC - YANAPANAKUY VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY In the morning, participate in the activity known as Chaskiq. The tarpuntay (ancestral Inca authority) is in charge of preparing the khipu (sacred message) in an environment surrounded by spirituality and mysticism. The chasqui is chosen among the visitors and will be in charge of carrying the divine message in their chuspa or purse. Next, to the tarpuntay, the chasqui will go the way to deliver the sacred word, going through the Sutuq Mach'ay cave and the fields of culture, surrounded by native plants with healing properties. The sound of the pututu announces its arrival at the archaeological centre of Aya Urqu to deliver the khipu to the hamawta or interpreter. The other attendees wait at the top of the ritual when the high priest dances the condor. At the end of the ceremony, take some time to photograph the beautiful place before returning to town. In the afternoon, meet with the community authorities to participate in the Yanapanakuy. End your experience with a visit to the posts to be able to bring a memory of everything you lived at home.
DAY 4 | HUILLOC - MACHU PICCHU Leave the community of Huilloc to depart for Ollantaytambo. Your visit to Machu Picchu begins with an hour and a half train journey through spectacular Andean landscapes to Aguas Calientes, starting from the Ollanta station. From here, you will make a 25-minute bus tour to Machu Picchu, the 'lost city of the Incas'. It is believed that the archaeological site was built around 1450 by the Inca Pachacútec as his holiday residence. However, a century later, the city was abandoned after the Spanish conquest, saving itself from the destruction that reached other Inca settlements. During the guided tour, you will learn about the origins of this impressive citadel, presenting its most outstanding monuments. At the end of the tour, return to Aguas Lunch included. *Lunch time could vary depending on the entrance to the citadel.
DAY 5 | AGUAS CALIENTES - CUSCO Today, you can optionally return to Machu Picchu and visit the attractions that the citadel houses. We recommend you get up early and watch the sunrise over the mountain. It is an unforgettable experience! The best views are both the Huayna Picchu and its complex of underground temples, such as the Inti Punku, both more than 300 meters above the citadel itself. Another option to visit is the Inca bridge, a secret military road that controlled access to Machu Picchu. In the afternoon, board the train back to the Ollanta station and, from there, a vehicle will take you to your hotel in Cusco. **Kindly remind to purchase your tickets before your trip due to the limited capacity of the citadel. Entrances are subject to availability Overnight at the selected hotel in Cusco. Breakfast included. DAY 6 | CUSCO DEPARTURE A vehicle will take you to the airport in Cusco to board your departure flight.
END OF SERVICES 2024 Prices per person in US$. Private Service.
INCLUDED
List of Hotels |
DAY 1 | ARRIVAL CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY
A transportation service will pick you up from the airport at the established time to transfer you to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. Once there, you are assisted during check-in.
DAY 2 | SACRED VALLEY - CHINCHERO AND URQUILLOS During the morning, you will be transferred from your hotel to Chinchero. This is a small and picturesque Inca town where you will learn about traditional textile and artisan work in the area. In the same way, you can admire wonderful views of the Sacred Valley from above and see the beautiful chapel that preserves original paintings of the Cusco school inside. From Chinchero, you will start a walk to Urquillos, a town located at 2980 masl where Inca platforms, a temple and colonial estates are preserved. You will enjoy a box lunch on the way. After exploring the place, you will be transferred back to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. Level: Moderate, mostly down hill Duration: 6 - 7 hours (2 ½ hours of hike approximately) Maximum altitude: Chinchero 12040 ft / 3670 masl Walking distance: 4.9 miles / 8 km
DAY 3 | SACRED VALLEY – HUILLOC AND PUMAMARCA (12.5km – 5 to 6 hours) Today, you will be transferred from the hotel to Huilloc community. Here, participate in a demonstration of one of the ancestral activities of the Andean life: the process of making garments using traditional techniques. A resident will show you the weaving process of Huilloc typical clothing and will explain weaving techniques. In addition to the opportunity to appreciate this, you can acquire some of these beautiful textiles, contributing to the spiritual strengthening and identity of this Inca people. Then, you will leave to the archaeological site of Pumamarca, built with structures such as platforms, roads and channels. Enjoy a box lunch on the way. Later, visit the historic town of Ollantaytambo, which has been continuously inhabited since the time of the Inca Empire. Finally, return to your hotel. Level: Moderate Duration: 7 - 8 hours approximately Maximum altitude: Huilloc 15091.86 ft / 4600 masl Walking distance: 9.94 miles / 16 km
DAY 4 | SACRED VALLEY – WIÑAYHUAYNA AND INTI PUNKU You will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to the train station to go to Km. 104 of the railway line where we will start the walk. After crossing the suspension bridge over the Urubamba river and passing through the Chachabamba archaeological site. We will ascend to the magnificent archaeological site of Wiñayhuayna (2700 masl), nestled in the imposing mountains that dominate the valley of the Urubamba River. There we can enjoy a box lunch box. On the way, we will appreciate the characteristic vegetation of the forest. Our tour will continue in the middle of the dense vegetation towards "Inti Punku" or "Door of the sun", from where you will be able to appreciate an impressive panoramic view of the citadel of Machu Picchu (2430 masl). As we descend, we will take the bus that will take us to Aguas Calientes, where you will check-in at your hotel. Level: Moderate Maximum altitude: Inti Punku 9005 ft | 2745.6 masl Walking distance: 11 km - 6.83 miles
DAY 5 | AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO After breakfast, ascend early in the morning by bus to the citadel of Machu Picchu, the ‘lost city of the Incas ’. The archaeological site is believed to have been built around 1450 by the Inca Pachacútec as his vacation residence. During the guided tour, learn about the origins of this impressive citadel, presenting its most outstanding monuments. At the end of the tour, return to Aguas Calientes to take the train to return to Cusco. *Lunch time could vary depending on the entrance to the citadel. **Kindly remind to purchase your tickets before your trip due to the limited capacity of the citadel. Entrances are subject to availability.
DAY 6 | CUSCO Enjoy the day off in Cusco. After a spectacular adventure along the route of the Incas, it is time to take a break. You can relax walking your way through its cobbled streets, visiting its markets or, if you wish, taking one of the tours or optional activities.
DAY 7 | CUSCO DEPARTURE A vehicle will take you to Cusco airport to board your departure flight.
2024 Prices per person in US$. Private Service.
Lineage of the SunDAY 1 | ARRIVAL IN CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY
A vehicle and a representative will pick you up from the Cusco airport and then transfer you to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. You will start your tour en route to the Pisac market, which has scores of stands that exhibit and sell products manufactured by the residents of the area everyday. Beautiful alpaca textiles, musical instruments, paintings, carvings, necklaces and replicas of old Inca pieces stand out. After that, you will continue to the Cuyo Chico Community where you will be received with Ancestral Biosecurity (cleaning with antibacterial plants) and then continue with meditation with ancestral instruments and Interpretation of Ancestral sounds. You will have the opportunity to know and learn about sound instruments of the Incas, such as whistles for meditation, communication, ceremonial and rituals. These instruments of sound were used in the time of the Incas in special moments, ceremonial as INTI RAYMI. The experience ends with a farewell group Ancestral Whistle playing. Then, they will have a chance to thank Mother Earth with coca and ancestral sounds, as well as learn about the local customs. The visitor will learn about artisanal tools, be able to participate in a relaxing and therapeutic clay painting session. Always by the hand of the master artisan, Vicente Rayo Quispe. Finally, they will be transferred back to their hotel.
DAY 2 | SACRED VALLEY - HUILLOC & PUMAMARCA You will be picked up from your hotel and depart towards Huilloc where you will learn about the customs of this community and will participate in a demonstration of one of the ancestral activities of Andean life: the process of making garments using traditional techniques, understanding the meaning of their iconography. A resident will show you the weaving process of typical Huilloc clothing. In addition to the opportunity to appreciate this traditional activity, you can buy one of these beautiful garments, contributing to the spiritual strengthening and identity of this Inca people, making this a complete and special experience. Then, you will depart towards the archaeological site of Pumamarca, composed of structures such as platforms, roads and canals. He will have lunch on the road. Later visit the town of Ollantaytambo which has been continuously inhabited since the time of the Inca Empire. Finally, you will be transferred from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. Level: Moderate Duration: 6 - 7 hours approximately Maximum altitude: Huilloc 12467 feet / 3800 m a.s.l. Walking distance: 8,7 miles / 14 km.
DAY 3 | SACRED VALLEY - MARAS & MORAY WITH HAT MAKING LESSONS Start your journey towards Maras, an impressive Inca salt exploitation complex. These are large salt deposits, still in operation, from which salt was extracted and exchanged for products from other parts of the Empire. Next, visit Moray to contemplate the mysterious circular concentric platforms that were found here. Some scholars believe the place used to be an agricultural research centre: the external platforms would have been at higher temperatures than the internal ones, simulating the conditions of the different ecological floors of the Andes. Then, you will visit Mrs. Grandonia and Mrs. Álvarez, the renowned hatters of Maras, run an attractive crafts shop that produces top hats. They want to share their art with the travelers who visit their town. Dare to learn this ancient Andean activity. After this visit, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Then, you will also share one of the most classic Quechua rituals of the Andean world. Along with a local shaman, you will pay an homage to the Pachamana (Mother Earth) to whom the inhabitants of the Peruvian highlands pay tribute permanently to ask for prosperity and production. Take the opportunity of the shaman's call to contact the mother earth, offer her your donations and ask her for an auspicious future.
DAY 4 | SACRED VALLEY – VIDA WASI - AGUAS CALIENTES Pick up from your hotel to visit the "Vida Wasi" project, a health citadel that provides essential pediatric care, as well as medical assistance, to children with cancer in the Sacred Valley. Travelers are welcome to visit their facilities and learn about the local culture while contributing to Vidawasi's mission. They will share the experience of making pottery with traditional Andean techniques, tour the bio-garden, the process of planting and harvesting vegetables After this experience, you will be transferred to Ollantaytamto train station to start your journey through spectacular Andean landscapes to Aguas Calientes, the journey lasts an hour and a half.
DAY 5 | MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO In the morning, you will take a 25-minute bus tour to Machu Picchu, the ‘lost city of the Incas’. The archaeological site is believed to have been built around 1450 by the Inca Pachacútec as his vacation residence. However, a century later, the city was abandoned after the Spanish conquest, saving itself from the destruction that reached other Inca settlements. Instead, the jungle slowly swallowed its stone buildings and hid it, protecting it. During the guided tour, learn about the origins of this impressive citadel, presenting its most outstanding monuments. At the end of the tour, return to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Cusco. *Lunch time could vary depending on the entrance to the citadel. **Kindly remind to purchase your tickets before your trip due to the limited capacity of the citadel. Entrances are subject to availability
DAY 6 | CUSCO - SACSAYHUAMAN & WALKING CITY TOUR Enjoy a guided tour of this enchanting city, once the capital of the Inca Empire. The tour starts with a visit to the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, whose imposing walls offer a breathtaking panoramic view of Cusco. Walk to the viewpoint of San Cristobal where you will have a panoramic view of the city. From here, you will start walking descending towards the main quare of Cusco. The way through the streets of Cusco is to remember them cobbled and imposing, where the Inca walls with more than 500 years of history coexist with modernity among shops and restaurants that are very popular with tourists. You will go through Siete Borreguitos picturesque sloping street which is known by this name because it was the route used by the locals to travel with their packages and animals, including sheep. Make a last stop at the Sapantiana Aqueduct in Cusco which was built in colonial times before arriving at the Cathedral, the most imposing monument in the Plaza de Armas. Finally, visit the Inca temple of Coricancha, one of the most important precincts dedicated to the cult of the sun. Ancient chronicles say that its walls were covered with gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. At the end of the tour, return to your hotel.
DAY 7 | DEPARTURE CUSCO A vehicle will take you to Cusco airport to board your flight to Lima. A representative will assist you along the way.
2024 Prices per person, double occupancy in US$. Private Service.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
|
