8-Days Peru, The Rise of the Inca Empire

Transfer to the airport to take your flight to Cusco. Arrival, assistance, and transfer to the hotel.

Ascent to the Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park, and start of the journey visiting the fortress of the same name, a beautiful place that radiates peace and tranquility, we will also admire the huge rocks of up to 4 meters high, that were used in its construction. Continue to Q'enqo, antique temple of the Cougar where we can appreciate an altar for sacrifices in the inner part of a huge rock and then to Tambomachay, sacred fountains of life and health. On the way, enjoy a panoramic view of Puca Pucará, a watchtower that guarded the entrance to the city. Later, tour of the Temple of the Sun Qorikancha, over which the Santo Domingo Convent was built, the legend says that this Temple was completely gold plated, which amazed the conquerors when they first arrived. To end our journey, become familiar with the Plaza de Armas (Main Square) and enter the Cathedral, which amasses invaluable colonial art works and paintings, as for example the Cross that arrived with the first conquerors.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas receives us in this day. Our first stop will be at the Inca village of Pisac, one of the most beautiful archaeological sites of the Sacred Valley. From the top of the mountain there is a great view of the colonial village of Pisac. Walk through the colonial village. Time for shopping at the artisan workshops. Later, tour of the Inkariy Museum to visit the different halls with exhibits of representations of the pre-Hispanic cultures of ancient Peru. Lunch. Visit to the Yucay Live Culture Center, tourist complex were the local settlers will show us their techniques of weaving and dying of traditional textiles, making of the adobes, preparation of the traditional chicha, a drink made of corn, and a close encounter with the Andean camels: llamas and alpacas. Overnight stay in the area.

This day will take us to find marvelous places in this region of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The Inca Terraces of Moray, a lab that was looking to re-create 20 different microclimates and secure the agricultural production of the empire. Continue towards the Village of Maras, tour of the famous and ancient salt mines, which still are exploited since immemorial times. The contrast between the white wells and the clayey land makes this landscape into a place not to be missed for taking pictures. Lunch. In the afternoon, tour of the streets, plazas and terraces of the last Inca living village of Ollantaytambo. Enter the archaeological site that dominates the village, where we will see the technique that the Incas used to work on the stones in the Sun temple that was left half built. At the proper time, embark from the village train station to arrive at the town of Machu Picchu, located at the foot of the mountain. Overnight stay in the area.

The much-awaited day to visit one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Boarding at the Ollantaytambo station. Departure in the selected train. Arrival at the Machu Picchu station. Assistance, from our staff to board the bus that will ascend up a winding road, with a spectacular view of the Urubamba River which forms a deep canyon. The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, will greet us with its incredible terraces, staircases, ceremonial sites and urban areas. Energy exudes from the whole place. Lunch. At the coordinated time, return by train and transfer to the hotel in Cusco. Lodging.

Departure on a tourist bus to the city of Puno, a beautiful landscape route accompanied by the Vilcanota River and afterwards to the plateau of Collao, the Andean altiplano. Our first stop will be at the Church of the Apostle St. Peter in Andahuaylillas better known as “La Sixtina de América” (The Sistine Chapel of America). The walls and ceiling are full of mural paintings from the 17th century. Continue to Racchi, Temple of the God Wiracocha, where the remains of the columns and walls stand out and give us an idea of the monumental size of this construction during the Inca times. Our path will reach its highest point at La Raya at 4,800 m.a.s.l., a place where there is the division of the waters of the basin of the Titicaca and the rivers that will go to the Amazonas. Lunch. Visit to the Site Museum of Pucara. This location is the cradle of the famous toritos de Pucará (Pucara little bulls). Arrival in Puno and transfer to the hotel.

In the morning, we will board a motorboat to visit the Uros, a town of people that sought refuge inside Lake Titicaca, fleeing the different cultures that arrived to dominate them. This community continues building their islands following ancient techniques, and welcome us to pass on their knowledge. Its people make a living from its visitors. We will have time to navigate in the totora reed vessel they build. Return to the port of Puno.

 Breakfast. Departure transfer to the airport of Juliaca. (airfare is not included). Our staff will assist you with the connection flight in the airport of Lima. If you like to add nights in Lima, transfers or extensions of your trip, we can help you with all details and bookings.