7 – Day Peru Excursion: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Machupicchu
7 Days
23 reviews
7 – Day Peru Excursion: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Machupicchu
7 Days
23 reviews
Overview
Join us for a transformational travel experience. Reconnect with the land. Reconnect to yourself. Reconnect with the community. #travelPeru
A popular short Peru vacation that explores the region of Cusco and all the best highlights of the Inca Civilization. An affordable package tour that includes quality hotels and first class services.
Our amazing tour guides will lead you throughout the ancient city, wonder by wonder – special for your own private group! You will learn about ceremonies, how people lived, and how they connected with Pacha Mama – or “Mother Earth”. Our local guide will give you insideA information passed down from his ancestors so that you will get the real story of what happened here.
Machu Picchu is tangible evidence of the urban Inca Empire at the peak of its power and achievement—a citadel of cut stone fit together without mortar so tightly that its cracks still can’t be penetrated by a knife blade. It stands 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. It was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height; its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting, on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of fauna. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley which is 80 kilometers (50 mi) northwest of Cusco and through which the Urubamba River flows. No wonder it is one of the New Wonders of the World!
The complex of palaces and plazas, temples and homes may have been built as a ceremonial site, a military stronghold, or a retreat for ruling elites—its dramatic location is certainly well suited for any of those purposes. The ruins lie on a high ridge, surrounded on three sides by the windy, turbulent Urubamba River some 2,000 feet (610 meters) below.
The Inca’s achievements and skills are all the more impressive in light of the knowledge they lacked. When Machu Picchu was built some 500 years ago the Inca had no iron, no steel, and no wheels. Their tremendous effort apparently benefited relatively few people—some experts maintain that fewer than a thousand individuals lived here
Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. Its three primary structures are the Inti Watana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows, of which your tour will visit all three – and plenty more!
You will have a full guided tour by your English-speaking guide. After that, you will have plenty of time on your own to explore and enjoy Machu Picchu, and discover the wonders of the ancient city yourself!
You will also have the opportunity to choose to go rafting on the wild Willkamayu River – a unique once in a lifetime experience on this ‘sacred river’ in Quechua! Enjoy the sites and sounds – and thrills! – of your group riding the waves.
Itinerary
Day 1,FLY TO LIMA
-
Arrive to Lima, transfer to Hotel.
Day 2,LIMA – CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO
- Breakfast at the hotel starting at 6am.
- Conveniently located, you can walk to your domestic flight at the airport.
- This morning you will make your connecting flight and fly to the Inca capital city of Cusco.
Note:
Ollantaytambo is lower than Cusco. Wich is why we begin here to ease your acclimation to the altitude. (B,L) Pakaritampu Lodge OR similar. FLIGHT TO BE DETERMINED
Day 3, RAFTING – OLLANTAYTAMBO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
Breakfast starting at 6:00 a.m. Pickup at your hotel at 9:00.a.m. and drive to the river. (approximately 15 minutes.)
View Inca walls and beautiful sacred sites along the river.
While rafting, visit a beautiful Inca bridge, Inca Wall at the river’s edge, view the rocky mountains, admire the rapids and see many birds along the way.
We will enjoy a picnic lunch together. it’s off to spend the afternoon exploring the ruins at Ollantaytambo.
See many temples of pink granite stone and the famous Princess’ Bath. Then you will return to the hotel or explore the town some more.
Dinner on your own. (B, L) Pakaritampu Lodge or similar.
Day 4, MORAY/SALINERAS – COMMUNITY VISIT
After breakfast we begin our day boarding our private car and drive for 45 minutes to stop and visit the circular terraces of Moray – the Navel of the Earth.
At this sacred site we will feel the connection with the three worlds represented by the sacred animals of the Condor, Puma and Snake.
See how our ancestors built an amphitheater-like structure to study different microclimates. We will also visit the amazing salt flats en route to Ollantaytambo, and if you would like to stretch your legs and get a little exercise, there is an opportunity to hike down into the valley and meet up with the van further down the road.
We’ll stop and have lunch at a traditional Hacienda with a fantastic buffet featuring Peruvian delicacies before we head to the community of Willoc.
In Willoc or other community, you will visit with a few families that still live in the traditional way. Set a bit outside of Ollantaytambo, people from these communities still dress in their traditional clothing and speak the native Quechua language. Spend some time with them and learn more about their native ancestry.
Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own. (B,L)
Day 5, HIKING TO MACHU PICCHU
You will be picked up from your hotel at about 5:20 am. We will then go to the train station and leave on the train at 6.10 am from Ollantaytambo.
Along the way, the train follows the Urubamba River until we reach Km104 where we´ll begin our trek.
You will be able to see spectacular views of farmlands, snow-capped mountains and the mighty Urubamba River; one of the sources of the Amazon River.
At 104km (2000m) we begin our trek, once we´ve made sure you have everything you need.
We will provide you a packed lunch and drinks for energy.
We will also take the chance now to have a group photo before visiting our first Inca site together.
After an informative tour of the Inca site, we begin gradually ascending as we head for ours, we will reach the most beautiful Incan site on the Inca Trail – Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) at 2600m. This is a wonderful Incan site that many people never get to see.
There is an elaborate water fountain, temples, and some agricultural terraces which provide a perfect opportunity to learn more about the way of the Incans.
The scenery truly must be seen to be believed! A steep drop off, vertical cliff face, and dramatic mountains surround you.
It really demonstrates of the importance of location to the Incas.
From Wiñay Wayna we walk to the Sun Gate where we see the picturesque landscape of Machu Picchu below.
After taking in the once in a lifetime views and getting your photos, we begin our descent to Machu Picchu for sunset.
One of the advantages of this hike is that by the time we reach Machu Picchu, most of the day travelers will have already returned home and you will have it almost to yourself. After taking photos, we’ll take the bus to Aguas Calientes and check-in to your hotel. Hotel Waman or similar. Dinner on your own and get to bed early to make the most of the next day. (B,L)
Day 6, MACHU PICCHU – CHINCHEROS – CUSCO
We will wake up early in the morning in order to take one of the first buses to Machu Picchu in order to see the sunrise.
You will have a 2 hour guided tour by your English speaking guide.
After that you will have plenty of time on your own to explore and enjoy Machu Picchu.
When done exploring, you will take a bus or walk down to Aguas Calientes to eat lunch and take a train back to Ollantaytambo, where you will meet your private driver and travel to the Chincheros Market.
This traditional weaving community is known for is impressive textile works and artisan products.
Here the local artisans will give you an introduction to their handy work including their processes for shearing, dyeing, spooling, and weaving from alpaca.
Take advantage of last minute shopping before you are transferred to your Hotel Andenes al Cielo or similar. (B, L)
Day 7, CUSCO CITY TOUR
Breakfast at your hotel, then your guide will meet you at your hotel at 9am. Enjoy the ancient city as we see the 12 square stone at Inca Roca Palace in Cusco. We will also visit the Temple of the Sun. We’ll also visit Sacsayhuaman Temple, Tambomachay and Qenqo, famous sites around Cusco. We’ll stop for lunch together at a Peruvian restaurant before you have time to explore the city on your own. (B,L) Hostal Andenes al Cielo or similar.
Explore the Market in Cusco, visit Path of the Heart Restaurant for Children.
FLY TO LIMA
Early morning breakfast, then pickup at your hotel at 9am for a tour of the local market in Cusco. San Pedro market is a bustling market where you can find all sorts of fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses, meats, flowers, and locally crafted ítems. Have a juice that is prepared before your eyes from a “juice lady.” Walk through some of the local streets to get a flavor of the “real” Cusco. Then, our driver will take us to Corao – as small village on the outskirts of Cusco where we support a children’s “restaurant” that feeds a free hot meal to children from the surrounding communities. Help serve a meal and get to meet the local children. We’ll return to Cusco and pick up your luggage from the hotel. Then we will transfer you to the airport to catch your flight to Lima. (B,L)
FLIGHT TO BE DETERMINED
End of the service by Puma Path Adventures Peru.
Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner.
Included
- Flights- Lima – Cusco – Lima.
- Private ground transportation for all trips in Cusco and Machu Picchu.
- Hotels for all nights listed.
- All breakfasts and lunches.
- English Speaking Guide and expenses.
- Entrance fees to Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Cusco.
- Train fares.
- Bus fares.
- Bottle drinking water every day.
No Included
- Dinners.
- Extra beverages.
- Tips. (bellmen, waiters, guides, cooks, drivers)
What to bring
- Hiking boots, comfortable walking shoes and sturdy sandals.
- Waterproof Jacket and pants.
- Thermal clothing for rafting.
- Windbreaker.
- Sleeping bag for trekking. (optional)
- Camera and extra batteries and memory cards.
- Flash light.
- 220/ 110V (plug) adaptor.
- Insect repellent.
- Sun block, sunglasses, hat.
- Bottle for water.
- Some school supplies to share with the children while visiting rural mountain communities.
Prices
| Number of persons | Price per person |
| 2 | $2,499.00 |
Travel Guide
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