Cusco Tour Description

  Inca Trail - Mystical Packages

City Tour & Ruins nearby Cusco (CUS H100)
Visitors are caught up in the excitement of touring the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, a delightful combination of Inca and colonial architecture. The tour visits important landmarks such us Cusco's Cathedral, Plaza de Armas and Koricancha "The Temple of the Sun". This tour of the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western hemisphere also includes the nearby ruins of Kenko, Puca-Pucara, Tambomachay as well as the Sacsayhuaman fortress, an imposing example of Inca military architecture. (4h.)

Walking Tour of Cusco (CUS H103)
During the walking tour of the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, visitors are easily caught up in the excitement of this city. The tour includes a visit to the Cathedral and Santo Domingo Church, passing through the city's main streets and the Plaza de Armas. You will walk through some of Cusco's most astonishing streets to reach the San Blas Church. (2h 1/2.)

Cusco tour, city only, No nearby ruins (CUS H104)
Visitors are caught up in the excitement of touring the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, a delightful combination of Inca and colonial architecture. The tour visits important landmarks such us Cusco's Cathedral, Plaza de Armas and Koricancha "The Temple of the Sun". Tour includes a visit to the emblematic Cusco neighborhood of San Blas, filled with narrow typical streets, charming small homes, galleries and craft workshops, where you see local artisans at work. Cusco is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western hemisphere. (2h)

Cusco nearby ruins (CUS H105)
Visit Sacsayhuaman fortress, an imposing example of Inca military architecture. It was built using colossal limestone blocks using a variety of interlocking shapes. The estimated weight of some stones is over 120 tons. Visitors are still wondering how it was constructed. Other archaeological sites included in the tour are the Incan military lookout point of Puca-Pucara and the Sanctuaries of Kenko and Tambomachay. (2h)

Pisac Ruins (CUS H106)
Visit the Inca archeological remnants of Pisac known as Inca Pisac, which lie atop a hill at the entrance to the valley. It features an irrigation system, an astronomical observatory, and a solar clock and calendar (Intiwatana). The hillside is lined with agricultural terraces constructed by the Inca and still in use today. With military, religious, and agricultural structures, the site served at least a triple purpose. Besides a country estate, it is thought that Pisac defended the southern entrance to the Sacred Valley, while Choquequirao defended the western entrance and the fortress at Ollantaytambo the northern. (4h)

Pisac Indian Market (CUS H107)
Morning departure for a drive through the fertile countryside to the colonial village of Pisac. During your visit to the bustling marketplace you will have the opportunity to bargain with the natives for many different types of Peruvian handicrafts and jewelry. (4h.)

Chincheros Indian Market (CUS H108)
Take a trip back in time to the exciting and unspoiled Chincheros Market, where the Indians trade among themselves just as they have done for centuries. (4h.)

Piquillacta and Andahuaylillas (CUS H109)
Travel south of Cusco to Piquillacta. This town, one of the most important civil monuments left by the Incas, is thought to have been a repository for agricultural products or else used for defensive purposes. From there continue south to Andahuaylillas. Here you find the "Sistine Chapel of Peru", a church that is home to golden altars, paintings and many colored ceilings. The chapel is simple and unassuming on the outside, but on the inside you'll find masterpiece after masterpiece. (4h.)

Machu Picchu with lunch (CUS F101)
Early wake up for a train ride through the sacred valley of Urubamba to the "Lost City of the Incas," Machu Picchu. Perched 8,200 feet above the valley, it was hidden by mountains and semi-tropical jungles for 400 years until discovered by Hiram Bingham of Yale University in 1911. Archaeologists believe that the Inca "Virgins of the Sun" took refuge from the Spanish Conquistadors here. (L) (12h.)

Pisac Indian Market and The Ollantaytambo Fortress (CUS F200)
Morning departure for a drive through the fertile countryside to the colonial village of Pisac. During your visit to the bustling marketplace you will have the opportunity to bargain with the natives for many different types of Peruvian handicrafts and jewelry. After lunch the tour continues to the village of Ollantaytambo for a visit to its impressive Inca fortress. (L) (9h.)

Chincheros with weaving demostration, Pisac Ruins and Ollantaytambo Fortress (L)
(CUS F201)
Departure to the Andean village of Chinchero to visit with Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez. Nilda learned to weave as a child while tending the flocks in the fields of her village. When she was a teenager, Nilda worked with researchers on preserving the traditional themes and techniques of weaving in the Andean community. As an adult, Nilda traveled extensively to the U.S. to organize weaving exhibits and workshops in several universities and the Textile Museum of Washington D.C. Nilda offers an indigenous, multi-faceted perspective on the arts, as well as excellent facilitation and communication skills. She is truly a one of a kind artist. She will be happy to lead a relaxed, fascinating workshop on traditional back strap weaving techniques and a discussion on the role of weaving in a contemporary Andean culture. Nilda is the founder and director of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco. This organization is dedicated to preserving ancient textile designs and weaving techniques from all over the Andes. Some designs are more than 2000 years old. Then visit Pisac Ruins and Ollantaytambo Fortress. (L) (9h)

Chincheros & Pisac Markets and The Ollantaytambo Fortress (L)(CUS F202)
Visit Chincheros Market, where the Indians trade among themselves just as they have done for centuries. Continue along the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Urubamba, to visit the Pisac Market and the Ollantaytambo Fortress during the afternoon. (L) (9h.)

Moray, Maras Salt Pools and Authentic Quechua Village (L)(CUS F203)
Morning excursion to the Inca agricultural experimental center of Moray, famous for its sunken amphitheater, made up of four circular terraces, which appear to disappear into the earth like an artificial crater. The site was apparently an Inca agricultural research station designed for experimenting with crops at various altitudes (some of which run down to depths of 100 meters). It is believed that the terraces, built over containing walls filled with fertile earth and watered by complex irrigation systems, enabled the Incas to grow more than 250 plant species.
Continue to the impressive Maras salt pools formed by water emerging from a lake inside a mountain in the Urubamba Valley. An amazing view of evaporating ponds for the extraction of salt. Learn about ancestral techniques, which are still used, in agricultural, irrigation and salt-recollection tasks, as well as in Andean festivals and rites. After lunch, visit an authentic Quechua Village to feel the way of life of the Inca's ancestors. The Inca himself was a noble Quechua. They live off the land and are always wearing their colorful ponchos, see Quechua children scamper about while woman are weaving their family's clothes. (L) (9h)

Pisac ruins, Maras and Ollantaytambo Fortress (L) (CUS F204)
Visit the Pisac ruins, the impressive Maras salt pools formed by water emerging from a lake inside a mountain in the Urubamba Valley. An amazing view of evaporating ponds for the extraction of salt. Learn about ancestral techniques, which are still used, in agricultural, irrigation and salt-recollection tasks, as well as in Andean festivals and rites.
Continue to the Ollantaytambo archaeological complex, the Incas built it as a fort that included a temple, agricultural terraces, and an urban area. There are two distinct sectors: The religious and worship zone, and the residential area. Ollantaytambo was an important administrative center with probable military functions if one considers the walls and towers. There are also traces of ancient roads and aqueducts. The town of Ollantaytambo is called a "Living Inca Town" since the inhabitants maintain very old practices and customs. Lunch is at a beautiful country estate on the shores of the Urubamba River. (L) (9h)

Dinner Show at La Retama (CUS R100)
Take the guesswork out of deciding where to eat. Come to the best place for International, Creole and Andean Cuisine where you always find good ambiance and great entertainment. (3h)

Dinner Show at Tunupa (CUS R101)
Join us in the "Imperial City" for the greatest variety of novo-andean dishes, and the best panoramic view of Cusco's Town Square. (3h)

Dinner at Cava San Rafael (CUS R102)
Cusco has enough entertainment to keep you busy for a week. Tonight you flavor a Novo Andean and International buffet, which utilizes regional ingredients to rescue the gastronomic roots of the Andes. (3h)

Dinner at Andean Grill (CUS R103)
A place where you and your friends can enjoy a pleasant social atmosphere and an excellent culinary experience. We are located at Plaza de Armas of Cusco - a rustic yet elegant place, constructed in 1877. (3h)

Dinner Show at Inka Wall (CUS R104)
Located in a former Inka Palace, The Inka Wall specialty is a Novo Andean and International buffet, which utilizes regional ingredients to rescue the gastronomic roots of the Andes.Dinner is followed by a folkloric show with whirling Peruvian dancers performing a variety of regional entertaining dances. (3h)

Lunch or dinner at Hacienda Huayocari
The most noticeable aspect of the house is its sensational setting, dominating the Urubamba valley in the midst of the highland crags and vegetation through which the river flows. Above it, on the very mountain top within sight of heaven are two lakes, which seem to seethe on a rainy night. With magnificent views of the Urubamba River, the Casa-Hacienda has the magical ability to make us forget the reality of life. Today's lunch will be a remarkable event.

Inca Trail To Machupicchu
Take a fantasy journey into a different civilization as you hike the legendary Inca Trail from the high Andean Plain to the Cloud Forest. It is truly one of the most spectacular walks on earth. Pass through several archaeological sites surrounded by breath-taking natural scenary. This network of ancient Inca roads traces the route to Machu Picchu.

Inti Raymi

The Inti Raymi festival evokes the splendid Inca ritual of yore, being carefully scripted by Cusco professors, archaeologists and historians. The central event is acted out on the esplanade below the imposing fortress of Sacsayhuamán, 2 km outside the city of Cusco, easily reached by car or on foot. There, step by step, thousands of actors enact a long ceremony giving thanks to the sun god, Inti. The Inca ruler is borne on a royal litter from the Koricancha, or Temple of the Sun to the Huacaypata, the city's main square, where he commands the local authorities to govern fairly. Then all the participants set out for Sacsayhuamán, where the ceremony calls for the sacrifice of two llamas, one black and one white.
The llamas' entrails and fat are handed to a pair of high priests: the first, the Callpa Ricuy, examines the intestines to predict what sort of year lies ahead; while the second priest, the Wupariruj, makes his predictions based on the smoke that wafts up from the burning fat. The high priests' predictions are then interpreted by the Willac Umo, the lord high priest, who bears the news to the Inca. Finally, at sunset, the Inca orders all to withdraw from the site, and the entire city breaks out into a festivities that will rage for several days.