Cusco 6D / 5N

The town of Pisac is located at 33 Km.northwest of Cusco and its name probably derives from the word “p’isaqa” that refers to a gallinacean very abundant in the region. In Pisac’s upper part we will find Inca buildings whereas sin the lower part you will find the colonial town established in 1,572 as a part of the Indian reductions and where the colorful market takes place daily.

The Archeological Park of Pisac is one of the most amazing monumental centers of Cusco. It is a perfect combination of Inca constructions with the landscape.

It is the new attraction in the Sacred Valley, located in the area of Calca, between Pisac and Urubamba. There are 10,000 years of pre-Hispanic civilization, touring rooms with very realistic figures representing scenes of those times.

The darkness, the music, the garments, the details, the staging, will make you a part of a journey over time in eight rooms. You will take advantage of discovering civilizations before to those of the Incas, such as: Chavín, Nazca, Moche, Wari, and Chimu.

The challenge? That it be an experience for all to enjoy. You will be able to imagine the characters that have a secret life as soon as the doors are closed.

We will tour hidden places of the Sacred Valley. We will begin our journey in Chinchero, where we appreciate the beauty of its town and archeological complex. Besides, we will have the opportunity of participating in a brief exhibition of traditional textiles, distinctive characteristic of this village, famous for the beauty and high quality of its fabrics and ancestral dyeing techniques.

We will continue towards Moray, where we will enjoy an impressive view thanks to its concentric terraces simulating a great Amphitheatre. Its utility: to recreate 20 different types of microclimates, measurement that ensure the agricultural production of the Empire.

After, we will continue towards Maras, the famous and millenary salt mines from colonial times. The contrast of its white wells with the green valley cannot be missed for a spectacular postcard of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

The ancient Andean priests designed a rite that constitutes an approach or initiation with the ancient Andean traditions. We will proceed towards Huasao, town of Andean priests, where we may ask for the coca leaves reading /not included in the rate)).

We will continue towards Tipon where the Pujyu is located and where the cult to the water takes place by invoking the elements Wayra (wind) and Inti (sun).

We will visit the royal chambers and the gardens that Wiracocha ordered be built to be the dwelling place of Yawar Waqaj. We will appreciate its fountains and their beautiful channels that continue to pour water that arrive by underground channels.

In this area, one may observe the great hydraulic progress Incas achieved. In former days, the cult to these waters took place in the Pujyus and at present, some purification rites take place according to ancient believes.

Our excursion will continue with a visit to the architectural complex of Pikillacta, a pre-Inca city that holds a variety of architectonic structures and later on we will know the Church of Andahuaylillas, also denominated “the Sistine Chapel of America” for its impressive paintings, murals and gold-leaf decoration.

Pick up at your hotel in the Sacred Valley and transfer to Chinchero where we will walk through the mysterious caves in the area with a brief explanation and exploration of this interesting area full of rock carvings.

We begin with our walk on the Inca Trail “Qapaq Ñam” towards Urquillos in the beautiful mountains of the Sacred Valley walking through green areas.

This is a family home where the owners are the hosts and chefs.

Surrounded by an impressive landscape of high mountains and green fields is Iskay Maras Home, its strategic location makes it an ideal place for passengers visiting Maras, Moray and Chinchero.

The service is only carried out with reservations and behind closed doors, which is why it does not have signs on the facade or information on the Internet, which makes it a totally exclusive environment. In this place, visitors can enjoy a set menu, which varies according to the season and the requirements or dietary restrictions of each of the diners.

The inputs used come from a farm field and an organic bio-garden located within the premises of the house to guarantee a unique culinary experience. Likewise, Iskay Maras Home offers Pachamanca services (an Andean technique and ceremony of thousands of years old where food is cooked with hot stones in a hole) and a demonstration of the preparation of dishes with local ingredients.

What includes?

Gastronomic experience selected in a private area. Maximum 30 people.

Cusco is surrounded by a large number of huge, spectacular and beautiful lagoons. This is how the idea arose to take advantage of this great potential and form a Center that offers the possibility of taking advantage of them, Piuray Outdoor Center.

Our center, located on the shores of the Piuray Lagoon, offers a unique setting overlooking the snow-capped mountains of Cusco. Piuray Outdoor Center is a project conceived in the heart of the Pongobamba community.

From the beginning, the community members were a crucial part of this endeavor, instructing us about their activities, lands and customs, and we teaching them about sustainable tourism and the activities we offer.

This tour is designed for the traveler looking for unique experiences. Doing Yoga on a SUP board, in itself is something special, if we add the landscape and the ideal conditions that Piuray offers, the result is a memorable experience. The class is led by a yoga teacher with experience in this modality.

08:30 am – Recommended time to leave either Cusco or Urubamba, the route is similar, approximately 45 minutes to get to Piuray Outdoor Center.

09:30 am – We are arriving at the Piuray Outdoor Center facilities on the shores of Lake Piuray, where they await us with a station of hot drinks, water and snacks (fruits and snacks). We start with a welcome briefing, followed by a stretching session to warm up. Once the stretching session is finished, the corresponding equipment will be provided: kayak, paddles, skirts and vests. The guide will give you a technical and safety briefing.

10:00 am – We are entering the water where depending on the level of the group we paddle between 1 hour and a half to 1:30 hour approximately. At this time, they will be able to learn techniques and walk around the lake, which has an admirable landscape accompanied by birds and agriculture around it.

11:30 am – We are returning to shore, where you can enjoy the space. At your disposal, you will have the fruit and beverage station.

01:00 pm – We are leaving back to the hotel, with an estimated time of arrival at the destination at 2 pm. End of our services.

Transfer to a high area of ​​Cusco such as the Mirador de “San Cristóbal” from where you will appreciate the city of Cusco, later you will go down on foot through the narrow streets of the Barrio de San Blas, a neighborhood of great artisans where you can admire its square and the galleries of the Cusco’s most famous artisans, in a traditional restaurant you will have an aperitif, you will continue down Hatun Rumiyoc street, passing by the Inca Roca Palace, today the Archbishop’s Palace. And we will take time to admire the famous Twelve Angle Stone.

You will arrive at the Plaza de Armas to visit the Cathedral, which houses invaluable colonial works. Later, the visit to the Qoricancha Palace will continue, the old Inca Palace where the Santo Domingo Convent was built.

After the visit, together with your guide, you will go to the San Pedro Market, the oldest and most traditional in Cusco, where you can see the different products we have, customs and crafts, it is very neat and clean and shows our gastronomy.

At the end of the visit, you will return on foot through the cobbled streets and through old cloisters and will arrive at your hotel on foot.

Availability: Private only

It includes:

• Services with a tourist guide.
• Transportation only to the Mirador de San Cristobal (One Way).
• Entrance tickets.

05:00 hrs. This trip is absolutely unique, the Q´eswachaka bridge is located across the Apurimac river, at about (3,900 m / 13,000 feet) in the province of Canas. This hand-woven grass bridge spans 120 feet and is rebuilt every year as a community effort by all the local people in the region. About 700 men and women from the Huinchiri communities, Ccollana, come to Q’eswachaka for a party that celebrates the construction of the bridge. Weaving and construction techniques have been passed down from generation to generation since the Incas first built the bridge. It is the only remaining example of an “Inca” suspension bridge that can be seen today.

After the visit we will have our Box Lunch, enjoying the magnificent view.

On the way back to Cusco, we will make one last visit, the Inca colonial bridge of Checacupe, where you can see the differences between both bridges. This interesting trip ends in the city of Cusco at approximately 4:00 p.m.

Availability: Private only

It includes:

• Services with a tourist guide.
• Transportation hotel – Canas – hotel.
• Entrance tickets.
• Box-Lunch

You will travel 3.5 hours from Cusco city to reach Tres Montañas Arcoiris near the community of Palccoyo. Recently discovered it is an impressive option away from the crowds. We start the excursion at 7am and return to Cusco city approx. 19pm doing a complete tour with the three stops and the rock forest.

Total walking time: approx 2 hrs.

Difficulty level: Mild for beginners.

Light lunch in a beautiful setting.

Most convenient visiting season: April to October.

Visiting season with snow and rain: From November to March.

Availability: Private and SIB-Group

* Ask about the Glamorous Camping (Glamping) service

It includes:

• Services with a tourist guide.
• Transfer hotel – Palccoyo Town – hotel.
• Entrance tickets.
• Lunch.

The Potato Park  focus in the protection and preservation of the critical role and interdependence of the bio cultural indigenous heritage for its local rights, the nourishment, the conservation and the sustainable use of the agrarian diversity. You can visit the park in just one day as part of your tour to the Sacred Valley, traveling by the roads that unite the six communities and knowing the Kinsaqocha Lagoon, the conservation crops of the native potato, the artisan’s workshops or medicinal plants.

Finally, a delicious lunch in our specialized restaurant where Andean hands prepare exquisite dishes based in hundreds of different kinds of potatoes in all the forms and colors resulting in a thousand flavors for you to enjoy.

We will tour hidden places of the Sacred Valley. We will begin our journey in Chinchero, where we appreciate the beauty of its town and archeological complex. Besides, we will have the opportunity of participating in a brief exhibition of traditional textiles, distinctive characteristic of this village, famous for the beauty and high quality of its fabrics and ancestral weaving techniques.

After, we will continue making a visit to the Waypo Lagoon, located 44 Km. from the city of Cusco, reached by a paved road. It is a beautiful lagoon of crystalline waters, located in the jurisdiction of the provinces of Urubamba and Anta. It houses a great variety of fish and birds. We will enjoy an outdoors lunch.

In the opposite end of Pisac and at 80 Kms. From the city of Cusco, we will find the town of Ollantaytambo, a space where the design of the archeological complex is confused with the actual town. This district of the Urubamba Province can be reached by a paved road Chinchero – Urubamba, and by train (68 Km).

The archeological complex of Ollantaytambo was a strategic military, religious and agricultural center.  The architectural scene is of exceptional importance due to its size, style and originality of its buildings. We will visit the town before returning to the city of Cusco.